🇮🇷 How the ‘Barcelona of Iran’ broke Tehran’s dominance of football in the country
Tractor FC are closing in on their first Persian Gulf Pro League title!
120,000 fans watched one of the most significant matches in Tractor FC’s history earlier this month, although the true number might have been even higher.
Demand was so high many watched the title showdown with traditional Iranian football superpowers Esteghlal from the hill behind the vast Sahand Stadium.
This was more than just a football match for these supporters.
Indeed, Tractor are a symbol for millions in East Azerbaijan Province.
They are known as the ‘Barcelona of Iran’ due to their separatist identity - Tractor see themselves as Azerbaijani, not Iranian, just as Barca are Catalan, not Spanish.
Like Barcelona, they could also be champions this season. Tractor - a club founded by a local tractor manufacturing company - might not see themselves as Iranian, but they are certainly shaking up Iranian football.
