All White Ben Old left with ripped shorts and bloody kit after controversial non-call

Monday, 22 June 2026

Ben Old is adamant he was fouled in the build-up to Egypt’s go-ahead goal and says he has the scars – and ripped shorts – to prove it.

The All Whites were left fuming after conceding three second-half goals in a 3-1 defeat in their second World Cup match at Vancouver’s BC Place.

Egypt’s second goal, scored by star forward Mo Salah, stood despite protests from New Zealand players, who believed Old had been fouled by Yasser Ibrahim moments earlier at the other end.

Old, who had only recently entered the match, was bundled over by Ibrahim in a 50-50 challenge.

He said the Egyptian defender then stepped on him, leaving him fearing he had suffered a gruesome injury to his private parts.

“I’ve touched the ball and I feel like he’s fouled me. As he’s gone to fall down, he’s fallen down on my ballsack and ripped my shorts and underwear,” Old said.

“I was worried because it was a really sharp pain, but it’s all fine, I’ve been checked by the doctor.”

The pain was compounded when referee Omar Al-Ali allowed play to continue. Egypt took a quick throw-in, raced upfield and scored through Salah less than a minute later.

The All Whites had led 1-0 at halftime thanks to Finn Surman’s towering 15th-minute header, but collapsed after the break, conceding three unanswered goals.

'It's football and we've all got our opinions, but I think I was clearly fouled … it's frustrating because that led to the goal afterward,“ Old said.

“I was in pain from the injury. I didn't know what was going on there. It's frustrating, but they scored again after that so we can't blame it on that.”

Old said he knew he would beat Ibrahim to the ball and accepted the contact in the hope of winning a free-kick in a dangerous position.

“I’ve done that and gone onto the ground thinking I’ve won the free-kick, but he wasn’t given it.

“Then he stepped on me and caused a lot of pain. I was freaking out, wondering what was happening.

“It’s frustrating but the referee has made his decision and we have to accept it.”

To add to his frustration, Old was unable to immediately re-enter the match after play restarted because he needed a replacement pair of shorts.

“I’m just there, standing like that. It was obviously quite painful and I obviously had to change my shorts and everything,” he said.

“They had to get new shorts to bring on. They were ripped and had a bit of blood on them.”