sports

Tolan: We Did Not Enter the Arab Cup to Compete.. I Wanted to Help the Federation

December 18, 2025 shorouknews.com
Tolan: We Did Not Enter the Arab Cup to Compete.. I Wanted to Help the Federation

Helmy Tolan confirms that Egypt's second national team participated in the 2025 Arab Cup only for participation, not to compete for the title.

SUMMARY

Helmy Tolan, head coach of Egypt's second national team, clarifies that their participation in the 2025 Arab Cup was solely for participation and not to compete for the title, highlighting his desire to assist the federation and avoid sanctions.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Helmy Tolan confirms Egypt's second national team did not participate to compete for the 2025 Arab Cup title.
  • Tolan explains he accepted the role to resolve a crisis, not to compete.
  • He points out his intention to include assistants who do not cost the Football Association money.
  • He accuses the Clubs Association of causing harm to the national team and the country.

CORE SUBJECT

Helmy Tolan's Statements on Egypt's Second National Team Participation in the 2025 Arab Cup

Helmy Tolan, the head coach of Egypt's second national team, which participated in the 2025 Arab Cup held in Qatar, confirmed that the Pharaohs did not participate in the tournament to compete for the title.

Helmy Tolan said in statements to MBC Masr One channel: "I am not far from the coaching field, and I accepted the task of coaching Egypt's second national team to solve a crisis. No one asked me to compete in the Arab Cup tournament; we went just to participate."

He added: "Some said to Ahmed Hassan, the manager of Egypt's second national team, why is Helmy Tolan expressing his anger on screens? Are we going to compete? That should have been stated in the media.. and I wanted to avoid sanctions being imposed on Egypt."

He continued: "I wanted to include assistants with me who do not cost the Football Association any money.. Ahmed Hassan did not receive any money, but Essam El-Hadary was assigned a salary as he works in the Football Association and is also a performance analyst."

He concluded: "The Clubs Association deliberately harmed the Egyptian national team and damaged the country, and it is primarily responsible for what happened to Egypt's second national team in the Arab Cup."

KEYWORDS

Helmy Tolan Egypt's second national team 2025 Arab Cup participation Egyptian Football Association

MENTIONED ENTITIES 6

Helmy Tolan

👤 Person_Male

Head coach of Egypt's second national team

Egypt's second national team

🏛️ Organization

Egypt's second national football team

2025 Arab Cup

Event

Arab Cup tournament held in Qatar in 2025

Ahmed Hassan

👤 Person_Male

Manager of Egypt's second national team

Essam El-Hadary

👤 Person_Male

Performance analyst at the Football Association

Clubs Association

🏛️ Organization

Egyptian Football Clubs Association

NOTABLE QUOTES 4

"I am not far from the coaching field, and I accepted the task of coaching Egypt's second national team to solve a crisis. No one asked me to compete in the Arab Cup tournament; we went just to participate."

— Helmy Tolan

"Some said to Ahmed Hassan, the manager of Egypt's second national team, why is Helmy Tolan expressing his anger on screens? Are we going to compete? That should have been stated in the media.. and I wanted to avoid sanctions being imposed on Egypt."

— Helmy Tolan

"I wanted to include assistants with me who do not cost the Football Association any money.. Ahmed Hassan did not receive any money, but Essam El-Hadary was assigned a salary as he works in the Football Association and is also a performance analyst."

— Helmy Tolan

"The Clubs Association deliberately harmed the Egyptian national team and damaged the country, and it is primarily responsible for what happened to Egypt's second national team in the Arab Cup."

— Helmy Tolan