Watch the Bobby Madden penalty decision that shocked Chris Sutton

Chris Sutton is well used to honest mistakes and the unique interpretations of the rules employed by Scottish referees. 

It is the characteristics admired by the SFA, they ensure Bobby Madden and John Beaton of the high profile and lucrative appointments. 

On Monday night Sutton was at Tannadice to see John Beaton disallow a ‘goal’ from Daizen Maeda for no reason other than he didn’t want to see Celtic score. No explanation has been offered by any of the usual SFA/refereeing apologists. 

Across the road yesterday it was the turn of Madden to do his thing. 

That is absolutely scandalous.
I could honestly never see a penalty like that being awarded for away team at Ibrox. The sooner VAR comes here the better. Will show up our referees for how shite they actually are. pic.twitter.com/dBMWYSuUvy

— SPFL Pish (@stramashing) March 20, 2022

It’s the award of penalties like the one today why people question whether most top flight Scottish referees are up to the required level…

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) March 20, 2022

As the cross was coming into the penalty box Alfredo Morelos was holding off Jordan McGhee before finally pushing the defender to the ground. As he was falling to the ground McGhee grabbed at Morelos which was enough for Madden to point to the penalty spot. 

James Tavernier missed, in the second half Madden ensured that every 50-50 decision went the way of the visitors. 

This season 18 referees have handled Premiership matches, Madden, from East Kilbride has refereed three of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s six away matches in 2022.  

In February 2021 the SFA had to drop Madden from a Ross County v Celtic match after they were informed that he should be self isolating after his close friend David Roome had tested positive during a trip to Greece.