Ben Old left with ripped shorts and bloody kit after controversial non-call in New Zealand vs Egypt

The All Whites' Olympic preparations took a bizarre turn when attacker Ben Old found himself with torn shorts, ripped underwear, and a bloody kit after a heavy collision with an Egyptian defender. The incident, which occurred during a warm-up fixture between New Zealand and Egypt, saw the referee wave play on despite Old's obvious distress — a decision that left fans and pundits questioning the standard of officiating.

What happened

Ben Old, the young Wellington Phoenix winger, was battling for possession near the touchline when an Egyptian opponent fell awkwardly on top of him. The impact was severe enough to tear through Old's shorts and underwear, leaving him with a bloody groin area. Television replays showed Old immediately signaling to the bench, but the referee allowed the game to continue without stopping for injury or awarding a foul. The New Zealand medical staff eventually treated Old on the sideline, where he required a change of kit before returning to play.

Why it matters

This incident reignites the ongoing debate about player protection in football. While accidental collisions are part of the game, the failure to award a foul — or even stop play for a clearly injured player — raises concerns about referee consistency. For New Zealand, a team looking to build momentum ahead of major tournaments, losing a key attacker to such a preventable injury would have been a major setback. Fortunately, Old escaped without serious damage, but the controversy highlights the fine margins between a routine tackle and a potentially career-altering moment.

What it means going forward

As the All Whites continue their Olympic buildup, this episode serves as a reminder that officiating decisions can have lasting consequences. Old's resilience in returning to the pitch after the incident shows his commitment, but the lack of protection from the referee is a worrying sign. With tougher matches ahead, New Zealand will hope that future officials show greater vigilance in safeguarding players from unnecessary risks. For now, Ben Old's torn kit will go down as one of the stranger moments in football's recent memory — a bizarre snapshot of the physical toll the game can take.