The Saudi Cup final descended into chaos on Thursday night after a fan appeared to whip one of the players at the end of the march.
Al-Hilal beat Al-Ittihad 4-1 as the Riyadh-based club maintain hopes of an unprecedented quadruple.
However, Al-Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah was filmed having a kerfuffle with a supporter in the stands after the final whistle was blown.
The Moroccan international appeared to launch a water bottle in the supporter’s direction, with the man responding by twice whipping the 33-year-old.
Al-Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah was filmed having a kerfuffle with a supporter in the stands after the final whistle was blown
Al-Ittihad players and club staff rushed to protect Hamdallah as security was also forced to intervene.
Hamdallah equalised for Al-Ittihad in the 21st minute after Brazilian forward Malcolm put Al-Hilal ahead.
The striker signed for Al-Ittihad from Al-Nassr in 2021 following stints in Norway, China and Qatar.
A goal from Salem Aldawarsi restored Al-Hilal’s lead, with late efforts from Malcolm and Nasser Aldawsari ensuring victory.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Al-Ittihad players and club staff rushed to protect Hamdallah as security were also forced to intervene
Ex-Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly and former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves were in the starting line-up for Al-Hilal.
Al-Ittihad’s ranks were bolstered by former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante and former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Al-Hilal, also in the semi-final of the Asian Champions League and the Saudi King’s Cup, extended their world record winning streak for top-tier teams to 34 consecutive games in all competitions.
“It was a difficult game and I am very happy to score two goals,” Malcom told Saudi television.
Security staff approached the man after whipping the 33-year-old
"We are also happy to collect our first title of the season but we are chasing more trophies."
However, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo missed the clash after his club Al-Nassr were knocked out en route to the final.
Ronaldo, 39, was sent off during the clash after elbowing Ali Al Bulaihi against Al-Nassr in the semi-final.
"Ronaldo is one of the most important players in the world and an example for many," Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus told reporters after the game.
"But he's not used to losing in his career, so it is natural for him to lose his head when he loses, as well as for him to lose emotional and mental focus in defeats. It's not easy to play against [Kalidou] Koulibaly and Al-Bulayhi, they are the best central defenders in Saudi football.
"I'm not going to take credit away from Ronaldo, he's still very strong, he always has been and will continue to be the most important player in the world, he's an example and a model."
