Esteghlal F.C.
Esteghlal Football Club (Persian: باشگاه فوتبال استقلال; , commonly known as Esteghlal (meaning 'The Independence'), is an Iranian football club based in Tehran that competes in the Persian Gulf Pro League. The club was founded in 1945 as 'The Cyclists' (دوچرخهسواران, Dočarxe-Savârân) and was known as Tâj (تاج; meaning 'The Crown') between 1949 and 1979. The club is part of the multisport club Esteghlal Athletic and Cultural Company of Iran (شرکت فرهنگی ورزشی استقلال ایران). They were the first team to reach 1,000 points in Persian Gulf Pro League.
Esteghlal logo with 2 stars due to club's 2 titles at AFC Champions League | |||
| Full name | Esteghlal Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Blue Giant of Asia Blue Army Blue Lions Two Star Club S S | ||
| Founded | 26 September 1945 as Docharkheh Savaran Football Club | ||
| Ground | Azadi Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 78,116 | ||
| Owner | Esteghlal of Iran Athletic and Cultural Company (MEAF: 85.54% and Shareholders: 14.46% - IFB: ESLP1) | ||
| President | Ali Khatir | ||
| Head coach | Javad Nekounam | ||
| League | Persian Gulf Pro League | ||
| 2022–23 | Persian Gulf Pro League, 3rd | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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After the 1979 revolution, the club's women's team was dissolved and the progress of women's football in Iran was tied to politics. Since the 1973–74 season, Esteghlal has played its home games at the Azadi, which has a seating capacity of 78,116, though it can hold more people during important matches. Esteghlal set an attendance record for an Asian Club Championship match in 1999 when 125,000 supporters watched their final against Júbilo Iwata in Tehran.Esteghlal Club has an average of 30 to 110 million viewers in each of its games on television and cyberspace.