Reportedly, 200,000 fans from various regions of Azerbaijan and Iran gathered at the stadium and the surrounding hills.

The playing of the Iranian anthem at the opening ceremony was met with discontent and booed and the fans responded with slogans of “Long live Azerbaijan”.

Although Tractor Club owner Mohammadreza Zunuzi spoke in Turkish after a brief speech in Persian at the ceremony, Iranian television censored his speech in his native language.

Iranian television, which broadcast the ceremony live, also censored the slogans chanted in the stadium and the Azerbaijani music and dances.

Tractor has officially becom the champion last night with a 3-1 victory over Khuzestan’s Istiqlal team in the final match of the Premier League.

Facing injustice and discrimination due to their ethnic affiliation for decades Tractor secured the title of champion for the first time.