Fans rioted at the end of the game, tearing up stadium chairs and throwing what stadium officials said was 5,000 of them onto the field.
Police eventually intervened and chased the protesting fans out of the stadium.
Traktorsazi of Tabriz was playing Esteghlal of Tehran in Tabriz’s Yadegare Emam Stadium.
There was still no score in the 41st minute when referee Mohsen Torki blew the whistle and called a penalty on Traktorsazi’s Ehsan Hajsafi for moving the ball with his hand in front of the goal. Hajsafi protested too loudly and got a red card, expelling him from the game and leaving Traktorsazi to play the rest of the match with just 10 players.
Stadium video did not appear to support the referee’s call.
As a result of the penalty on Hajsafi, Esteghlal got a penalty kick and scored. Later in the game, Esteghlal was awarded another penalty and scored again, with 10-man Traktorsazi going down to defeat 2-0.
The game was important for Traktorsazi. Coming into the game Traktorsazi had 42 points and Esteghlal 43. A win would have given Traktorsazi three points and the league lead. As it turned out, Esteghlal now has 46 points and Traktorsazi 42.
Traktorsazi has filed a strong protest with the Iranian Football Federation over the referee’s call. And the Football Federation is considering sanctions on Traktorsazi for the conduct of its fans. Traktorsazi could be banned from playing any more home games for the rest of the season.
Earlier in the season, Traktorsazi fans launched political protests during some of the games, condemning the government for inaction on the drying up of Lake Urumiyeh.