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Under-fire Bobby Madden has been slammed in Saudi Arabia after a manager raced on to the pitch to confront him during a match marred by VAR controversies.

The whistler may have had his fair share of criticism over the years taking charge of powderkeg Celtic and Rangers games in Scotland and he's now come under fire in Saudi Arabia after officiating their King's Cup quarter final between Al Hilal and Al Ettifaq in Riyadh.

Madden was jetted in to referee a vital cup tie between the rival sides.

Scottish officials have often been requested for games in the Gulf because of their neutrality and Madden took charge of the game, along with assistants Graeme Stewart and David McGeachie, after the Saudi Arabian FA asked the SFA.

(Image: SNS Group)

But the game was a controversial affair with Madden sending one player off, booking six, awarding a penalty and refusing to award several claims for spot kicks, with the VAR system at the centre of the disputes.

And his performance infuriated losing Al Ettifaq manager Khaled Al-Atwi, who even confronted Madden on the pitch at one stage.

He said: "First of all, I want to say I am happy with the performance of my players. But I am far from happy with the Scottish referee.

"He didn't award us a clear penalty. I asked him to consult with VAR and he didn't respond. That's why I went on to the pitch to protest to him.

"The technology was developed so the referee would look at it and it is there to help him. What is the point if he won't even look at it?"