Mozaffarizadeh chosen as ref of Tehran derby

The referee committee of Iran’s Football Federation (IFF) announced Mozaffarizadeh will officiate the Persepolis–Esteghlal match. The 35-year-old referee will be assisted by Mohammad-Javad Taqipour and Hassan Kamranifar.
 
The Tehran derby was acknowledged by the World Soccer magazine in June 2008 as the most important derby in Asia and the 22nd hottest match in the world.
 
After 13 years of hiring foreign referees, the IFF referee committee started using Iranian judges for the derby last year. Mohsen Torki was referee in the two previous derbies.
 
“I am not a fan of any of the two teams, and I will just do my best to perform well in the derby,” Mozaffarizadeh said. 
 
Persepolis and Esteghlal have played against each other 67 times. 32 matches ended in a draw, Esteghlal won 20 times, and Persepolis was victorious in 15 matches. 
 
The last six matches between two teams finished in draws.