Chelsea' Chelsea FC midfielder Oriol Romeu is expected to be out for six months after undergoing surgery on Monday, the Premier League club have announced. Romeu had anterior cruciate reconstruction surgery and medial meniscus repair after suffering a knee injury in the first half of Saturday's win at Sunderland. The 21-year-old returned to London for assessment after the game instead of flying to Japan with the rest of the squad for the FIFA Club World Cup. Romeu lasted just 20 minutes of the 3-1 win at the Stadium of the Light before being forced off and replaced by Oscar. Chelsea had initially hoped he might have been able to join up with the Blues squad in Japan later this week, but further assessment revealed the need for surgery. Romeu has made nine appearances for Chelsea in all competitions this season, scoring in the League Cup win over Wolves in September.

Chinese quartet target Asian breakthrough ( While watching Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai and hosts Sanfrecce Hiroshima this week rub shoulders with the world's elite at the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup, Chinese fans are no doubt hoping that one of their sides can next year turn on a breakthrough performance and progress to the global showpiece. Their hopes were, indeed, boosted by last month's announcement which allowed the world's most populous country four representatives in next year's AFC Champions League campaign - one more than the previous edition. Leading the Chinese quartet are Marcello Lippi-coached Guangzhou Evergrande, who completed a league and cup double over the past season, while also storming into the last eight in their maiden Asian appearance. Beijing Guoan, C-League's third-placed finishers, will enter their fifth Champions League campaign, while runners-up Jiangsu Sainty and fourth-placed Guizhou Renhe are hoping to leave their mark on their continental debut. Evergrande's ever-growing ambitions Guangzhou may have a feeling of deja vu after last Thursday's Champions League draw pitted them against Jeonbuk Motors, a side whom they thrashed 5-1 in the opener of this year's competition. Thai champions Muang Thong United and Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds complete the group line-up. The past edition saw the Chinese champions come from nowhere to win their section, which also featured Buriram United from Thailand and Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol. They then saw off FC Tokyo 1-0 to reach the last eight where they were edged out by two-time winners Al Ittihad. Taking heart from the outstanding performance, Lippi's charges have set their sights on going beyond the quarter-finals this time around. And despite the hard, though familiar, assignment Guangzhou have been given, they are confident of breaking new ground on the continental scene. "Our goals had been set even before the draw," captain Zheng Zhi told FIFA.com in a recent interview. "We hope we can at least go one better than this year by progressing to the last four. And on the back of that we will of course try our best to win the title. We have opponents similar to last campaign but it doesn't matter. We will do what the coach requires and be strong as a team in order to realise our ambitions." His optimism is not unfounded, considering Guangzhou's enviable line-up which consists of a host of Chinese internationals, as well as star imports in Dario Conca, Muriqui and former Dortmund marksman Lucas Barrios. "A football match is largely decided by the team's strengths but not the draw," said Guangzhou general manager Liu Yongzhuo. "What we should do now is to prepare well and win every game to fulfill our mission." Beijing, meanwhile, received an even a tougher draw, with their group featuring newly-crowned Japanese champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 2009 winners Pohang Steelers and Uzbek giants Bunyodkor. Despite the failure to progress beyond the group stage this year, the capital side are aiming to finish among the top two under newly-appointed Serbian coach Aleksandar Stanojevic. "This group will be evenly contested as all four teams are close to each other," commented club general manager Gao Chao. "It is thus largely down to the preparation of the contestants." Debutants' hopes Elsewhere, it is by no means the draw wanted by Jiangsu, who have been thrown into the deep end against K-League champions FC Seoul, J.League runners-up Vegalta Sendai and the play-off winner between Australian champions Brisbane Roar and Thailand’s Buriram United. Despite this, however, the debutants can draw inspiration from their brilliant domestic form this season which had seen them become Guangzhou's only challengers until the penultimate round. "The Asian campaign is of our top priority for the season to come," Yang Chen, assistant to coach Dragan Okuka, told FIFA.com. “We represent not only our club but also the country. We have no continental experience so we must work hard to stun our rivals." Their hopes were recently dealt a severe blow with Romanian forward Cristian Danalache, who finished the season as top-scorer with 23 goals, likely to sit out the first-half of the season due to a knee ligament injury. The untimely blow leaves the coaching staff urgently seeking an adequate replacement. Guizhou, under former China PR coach Gao Hongbo, raised quite a few eyebrows by earning their first-ever Asian appearance. Pitted against Suwon Bluewings, Central Coast Mariners and the yet-to-be-determined Japanese Emperor's Cup winners, the enigmatic Chinese side are expecting to mount a serious challenge for the section's two qualifying spots. "All of our club, be it officials, coaches and players, are looking forward to the campaign," said defender Sun Jihai. "We are fresh faces on the Asian scene but we want very much to spring a surprise and satisfy our supporters. We hope the continental campaign can spark us to improved form."

Sevilla FC Seville is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain and is known worldwide for its Feria de Abril (April Fair) and Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations. No visit is complete without taking in the cathedral and its bell tower, nor the Golden Tower or the Plaza de Espana. Also, any self-respecting football fan will have another two essential attractions on their agenda: the Sanchez Pizjuan and Benito Villamarin stadiums. As part of its regular series on classic clubs, FIFA.com presents the history of Sevilla FC, from its roots in the Nervion district to becoming the seventh best team in the all-time La Liga standings. Early days Football arrived in Spain aboard British ships. It reached Seville by the same method of transportation, given that the Guadalquivir river is navigable right up to the city. Both local and foreign employees of the MacAndrews shipping company contemplated forming a team in 1890, but it was not until 14 October 1905 that it was officially finalised. However, despite winning several Andalusian championships, the red and whites of Sevilla were not among the teams in the top division when the Spanish league was founded. In fact, they did not gain promotion until 1934/35, the league’s seventh season and the same year that local rivals Betis - in the top flight for two years at that point - were crowned league champions. Nonetheless, Sevilla's victory in the Spanish Cup provided a large measure of consolation. Passionate support Sevilla enjoyed a successful spell after the Civil War, winning the league title once and triumphing twice more in the cup. Their run of form continued into the 1950s, when they qualified for the European Cup for the first time. Unfortunately, the club’s most beloved president, Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, did not live to see the achievement after passing away in 1956. Two years later, the stadium in the Nervion district took his name in his honour. That first international excursion came to an end in the quarter-finals against an Alfredo Di Stefano-inspired Real Madrid, who were later crowned champions. Domestically, things did not run so smoothly and their efforts in Europe almost led to them being relegated. The 1960s were plagued by economic problems caused by the construction of the stadium, which consequently forced the club to sell key players. Inevitably, performances on the pitch suffered too and after 31 years in the top flight, Sevilla dropped down a division. Nevertheless, they bounced back the following year and celebrated their return by deservedly finishing third in 1970. Three years later, Alhaji Momodo Njie became the club's first ever black player and went on to become a cult figure. Able to score the most spectacular goals as well as spurn seemingly simple opportunities, the Gambian was adored by the fans, who dubbed him Biri Biri, contributing to his place as one of the most famous names on the club's roll of honours. Sevilla's fans are renowned for their passion, commitment and vigour and are without doubt among the most charismatic in the country. Yet they have an afflicted history, created by the premature deaths of several of the club's most beloved players over the years. The first case was Enrique Gomez Munoz, commonly known as Spencer, who died aged 28 following complications after a routine appendicitis operation in 1926. Years later, Pedro Berruezo died after suffering a heart attack during a match against Pontevedra in 1973. More recently, the same ailment robbed the club of one of its most promising youngsters in Antonio Puerta in 2007. During a league fixture, cardio-respiratory failures caused the 23-year-old to pass out several times on the pitch at the Sanchez Pizjuan. He died days later in hospital, his passing having such a profound effect on the supporters that they pay homage to him in the 16th minute of every game, in memory of the shirt number he wore. Present day The turn of the millennium brought with it a new golden era for the club. Under the guidance of coach Juande Ramos and with figures such as Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute in the line-up, success was never far away. Domestic triumphs in the Spanish Supercup and Copa del Rey were consolidated on the international scene with two UEFA Cup titles as well as victory in the European Supercup. Furthermore, economic improvements were made thanks in large part to the recruitment policy of former goalkeeper-turned sporting director Monchi. His premise was simple: buy cheaply or promote from the youth team, develop players well and then sell them on at high price. Sergio Ramos and the Brazilians Adriano, Julio Baptista and Dani Alves, among others, are the most notable examples of the success of his strategy. Yet football is a transient game and after missing out on a place in Europe for the first time in eight years, the 2011/12 season marked the start of a change, with the club affected by the economic crisis and the dominating duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid. In spite of this, with former Madrid striker Michel as coach and working with talented home-grown players like Jesus Navas and prodigal son Jose Antonio Reyes, the club are on the road to regaining some of their former glory. The stadium The 45,000 capacity Sanchez Pizjuan arena has more character than most. What is more, it hosted several games during the 1982 FIFA World Cup™, the most memorable of which was the semi-final between the former West Germany and France. If that dramatic exit left the French with a sour taste, Barcelona's memories of playing there are equally bitter after dramatically losing their first European Cup final to Steaua Bucharest on penalties in 1986. Yet the stadium houses plenty of happy recollections for the Spanish national side, with the dedicated, noisy and passionate Seville crowd urging La Roja to victory in crucial encounters. Chief among them was the tie against Denmark in 1993, where Spain ended a nervy qualifying campaign by reaching the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA. Of the 22 matches the Iberians have contested on Sevilla's turf, they have recorded 19 victories and no defeats.

Simunic: Messi’s the best of all time In a career spanning almost 20 years, Josip Simunic has seen it all. Whether at UEFA EUROs, FIFA World Cups™, the UEFA Champions League or Europa League, the Croatian centre-back knows every trick in the book. Born and raised in Australia, Simunic opted to represent his parents' country in 2001, with whom he has since gone on to earn 99 international caps. Now he has his sights set on reaching the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, as well has gaining more titles with Croatia's record championship winners Dinamo Zagreb. In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, the 34-year-old speaks about his nation’s Brazil 2014 qualifying campaign, his objectives and a curious situation at the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006, involving three yellow cards in one match. FIFA.com: In just a few weeks, the FIFA Ballon d'Or will be awarded. Who do you think deserves to win it? Josip Simunic: Lionel Messi, without doubt. It can't be anyone else. He's been by far and away the best footballer in the world for the last five or six years. He deserves it and I'm 100 per cent behind him. He's the best player of all time and if he stays fit he will continue for the next five or six years. The things he does right now are out of this world. Of course, he doesn't play by himself, but he is simply incredible. He always finds a way and is always a yard quicker than everyone else. Admittedly he plays in a fantastic team, but he always makes the difference. If you have a player like that on your side, you needn't fear anyone. Who would be in your personal FIFA FIFPro World XI 2012? I'd have Gianluigi Buffon in goal; Jordi Alba, Carlos Puyol, David Luiz and Darjio Srna at the back; Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in midfield and Falcao and Edin Dzeko up front. Things are going extremely well with Dinamo Zagreb domestically. In your first year there you won the double and now you have a considerable lead at the top of the table. What are your aims for the season? Of course, our objective is to defend our title and to do so as quickly as possible. We wanted to pick up points in the Champions League. Last year was a disaster, so we wanted to earn some respect for ourselves this season. That was one of the funniest moments of my career. I must be the only player ever to have been given three yellow cards in one game. Josip Simunic on being booked three times at Germany 2006 In the current Champions League campaign, Zagreb got knocked out in the group stages. After 11 successive defeats in the competition, you finally picked up a point in the 1-1 draw with Dynamo Kyiv last week. We've got to be honest, the Croatian league isn't as strong as in other countries and the difference is a big problem. We have lots of young players who still need time. Dinamo Zagreb can't spend millions on new recruits. We have to train the players from our own academy and sell them on later, that's what the club lives from. It's the only way there is right now. Unfortunately, that's the reality of the situation. The national team has been successful recently, taking ten points from four games in FIFA World Cup qualifying. Are you happy with the team’s performances? The first two games against Belgium and Macedonia were difficult because we still hadn't found our rhythm. Nevertheless, with a bit of luck, we managed to take four points. Nobody minds how they were earned after a little while. In the third and fourth matches we played some fantastic football and showed what we're capable of. It's gone superbly well so far, but we haven't achieved anything yet. We want to be at Brazil 2014 and our aim is to qualify directly as group winners. In March we have two more games and another one in June. That’ll be decisive and then we'll see where we are. In spring 2013 Croatia will go head to head with Serbia. Serbia have a very talented team, just like we do. The match might be given an extra edge in the media, but it’s just a normal game that we want to win. You currently have 99 caps and should make it a century next year. How proud are you? It's hugely significant for me, I wouldn’t swap it for the world. It was my aim to reach this milestone and it’s something no-one can take away from me. Would Brazil 2014 be the perfect place for you to end your career? Of course it would be a nice way to finish, but at the moment my plan is just to get to the end of this season and to stay fit and healthy. If that's the case then I'd love to see the World Cup qualification through to the end. That's my aim. If it doesn't work out, then I'll stop next summer. In November 2001 you made your debut for Croatia. You could also have played for Australia after growing up there. Do you consider yourself an Australian? I'm happy and proud to have been born and raised in Australia and I have their mentality. However, I'm also very proud of my roots. My parents come from Croatia. I always say that if you don't know where you're coming from, you don't know where you're going. You have a wealth of experience on the international stage, in the Champions League, Europa League, EUROs and FIFA World Cups. What was your personal highlight? EURO 2008. That was a great tournament for us and at the end we had some bad luck in the quarter-final against Turkey (a 3-1 penalty shoot-out defeat). But that was definitely the biggest highlight of my international career. One moment that perhaps wasn't a highlight, but certainly must have been one of your most curious experiences was against Australia at the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. (Laughs) That was one of the funniest moments of my career. I must be the only player ever to have been given three yellow cards in one game. Maybe it gave me a little advantage, but it didn’t help in the end. It wasn't a good tournament for us in a sporting sense. We had a tough group and didn't get through it.

FIFA Ethics Committee proceeds in the case against Mohamed bin Hammam On 4 December 2012, the chairman of the investigatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee, Michael J. Garcia, who is also the head of the investigation conducted by the Ethics Committee into Mohamed bin Hammam, notified Bin Hammam of the completion of the investigation and informed him that the final report, together with the investigation files, would be submitted to the adjudicatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee for examination. On the same day, all of the documents were sent by Garcia to the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber, Hans-Joachim Eckert. Together with the final report and all of the investigation files, Garcia requested the imposition of provisional measures against Bin Hammam in accordance with the first sentence of art. 83 par. 1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE). Garcia stated that the request was not based on the necessity to protect an ongoing investigation, but rather that it was necessary because, given the extraordinarily complex nature and the considerable scope of the present case, it appeared highly unlikely that a decision on the relevant issues may be taken early enough within the meaning of article 83 par. 1 of the FCE. Given the seriousness of the violations of the FCE as alleged in the final report, Garcia said in his letter to the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber that it was imperative that Bin Hammam remained banned from football during the pendency of any decision on these charges. On 6 December, having examined the final report and investigation files, Eckert deemed that the final report was complete and decided to proceed with adjudicatory proceedings in this case, in accordance with art. 69 par. 4 of the FCE. At the same time, Eckert established a deadline for Bin Hammam to respond. Based on the report, the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber has decided to provisionally ban Bin Hammam given that a breach of the FCE appears to have been committed and that a decision on the main substance of the case may not be taken early enough.

Lali: Football can achieve great things ( For three decades, Afghanistan was wracked by war and ethnic struggles. Football also suffered during this awful period and was even banned at one point. A passion for the beautiful game has been reignited throughout the country, however, and it has even managed to promote peace in a war-torn land. Football is finally being played again in the hard-hit central Asian republic, with a national league actually being created and enjoying a successful first season. Eight teams from as many different regions took part in the newly-founded Afghan Premier League (APL), with the final – held in a packed stadium in Kabul in front of almost 5,000 fans – seeing Toofan Harirod defeat Simorgh Alborz 2-1 to win the inaugural title. One of the driving forces behind the league is Ali Askar Lali, a former Afghan international who in 1981 arrived as a refugee in Germany. There he went on to play for and coach a number of teams before heading home to help bring about the re-birth of football and the founding of the APL. FIFA.com spoke with him about his hopes for the future of football in Afghanistan. FIFA.com: What are your current occupations? Ali Askar Lali: I work for FIFA on grassroots projects, mostly in Afghanistan. I'm also a technical adviser to the Afghanistan Football Association as well as working for the German Football Association in Afghanistan and in other countries. I train coaches, put in place structures and look after a lot of other things besides. What are the most important current projects in Afghanistan? There are two of them: one is the formation of a professional league, the other is creating the basis for teams to exist. This means that we are investing a lot in the grass roots – not just in Kabul but in plenty of other provinces besides. These two focuses are of great importance at the moment. The league brought us closer to a lot of people in Afghanistan. Ali Askar Lali What did you think of the Afghan Premier League's first season? It was a great success in many respects. We demonstrated that we can play and organise good football. The league brought us closer to a lot of people in Afghanistan. Around 16 million people – over half of the population – followed the championship, which means that we managed to bring football into people's homes and get families interested in the game. At the season finale, we saw just how enthusiastic young people had become for football. We've succeeded in projecting a peace-loving image of Afghanistan. Most people only know the country in connection with struggles, war, arms and drugs, and we have managed to show them another side to Afghanistan. Even within the country we managed to show unity and bring all ethnic groups together. They played together and had fun together. What are your aims for the coming years? The Premier League was a big step forward and we want to build on that. We need to make further improvements to the organisation – the league doesn't have any structures at the moment and we want to build those up. The clubs also need to be developed more. We organised the league using existing structures and brought teams together from eight regional zones, and the next step is to organise an open league. These are aims that we are going to pursue, even if the road ahead is a long one. We've got off to a good start and therefore we're optimistic that in five or six years' time, we'll have a good league. Which would have a corresponding effect on the Afghanistan national team… The stronger the league, the better the national team will obviously be. It's the flagship of any country. After all the years of conflict, I want to see Afghanistan present itself as a unit, as a united nation, and the national team is a very good means of achieving this. A strong national team would be good for the whole population. After all the years of conflict, I want to see Afghanistan present itself as a unit, as a united nation, and the national team is a very good means of achieving this. Ali Askar Lali How are things looking for women's football? Tradition dictates that this will be a rockier road. We first established women's football here in Afghanistan in 2003 or 2004. It was a tough job but we've managed to create teams in larger cities like Kabul and get clubs interested in supporting women's football. We have competitions for women's teams as well as organising an Afghan women's select team to take part in international tournaments. It was a long road but we've definitely taken the first few steps along it. We've made people more aware of women's football, for example by trying to show some women's football in between league matches. We also invited the women's international team to a league match and introduced them to the crowd after they had beaten Pakistan 4-1. People didn't know much about women's football before that, but after they found out that the Afghan team had beaten our arch rivals, they were proud of them. I think that we're on the right track when it comes to developing and supporting women's football in major cities in Afghanistan. In five to ten years, we will hopefully be doing the same in the provinces. Could it be said that football in Afghanistan has brought the country together after all these years of war? You could put it like that. For years we've been saying that Afghanistan can do so much with so little resources. Football is an incredible tool when it comes to steering young people away from arms, violence and drugs. The Premier League made a connection with lots of youngsters, showed them that football can open their horizons and that it is a sport that they can feel at home with. Football can achieve great things with modest means. As part of the FIFA Goal Project, an artificial pitch has been built in Kabul which will have league matches played on it. How important is this development? The Goal Project was the greatest step towards independence that our national association has taken, as it put them in a situation to be able to organise an event without outside influences from other organisations in Afghanistan. In a country like ours, there are plenty of bodies that want to exert an influence on football, but thanks to the Goal Project, we have been able to be independent enough up until now to organise events ourselves. And it's not just football matches – we can also train our coaches and officials as well as our youth players. The Goal Project really was a big thing for us. We would have liked some extra support, for example from our government, since we're short on capacity; we're short of people who can work out on the pitch, like coaches, referees and event organisers. We need people who understand how to implement structures for a league and for clubs. This is the capacity that we currently don't have in Afghanistan. We need to improve the infrastructure so that we ourselves can become more active in all the provinces. You personally are a legend of Afghanistan football. Does that help when you are trying to motivate other people and partners? I've earned a lot of respect as a former international who has come back to Afghanistan to help build up football in the country. Not many people have returned home out of exile. People can see that I'm committed to football, and that puts me in a position to open doors when it comes to sponsors and projects.

Aboutrika: Al-Ahly’s ‘angel’ takes wing ( To call Mohamed Aboutrika an Al-Ahly legend is an understatement. Fans of the Cairo side refer to him as an “angel,” an “icon.” Even journalists call him a “man of peace.” They talk about his character and ethics, his humility, how he once refused a high wage because he thought it unfair to the journeyman defender with whom he shared a dressing room. There is something fanatical about the devotion to this attacking midfielder, born in Giza, who has been winning trophies with Egypt’s most successful club for nearly ten years. It must have come as a shock for those fans, then, when Aboutrika, five times named Egyptian player of the year, was left out of the starting line-up for their FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012 opener against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. “I know my role and I respect the tactics of my coach,” he said, doing his best to avoid the throngs of Egyptian journalists, his head hidden away under his sweatshirt hood, his voice low and somber. “Whether I start on the bench or on the pitch, the team is one. I am just one part. We respect the decisions of our coach.” When Hossam Ghaly, a talented central midfielder and Al-Ahly’s captain, pulled up with a knee injury midway through the first half, coach Hossam El Badry knew the kind of weapon he had in reserve. “Aboutrika is a great player,” said the coach, who has not always had a smooth relationship with his 34-year-old star. “He’s getting older, but he’s getting wiser as well.” Reluctant hero emerges With the game tangled at 1-1, and with Hiroshima on the ascendancy, substitute Aboutrika’s cool distribution and foraging runs forward made the difference. And there was an air of inevitability when he scored the winner. He ducked into a good position on the edge of the box and collected a chipped-in ball, bumping his defender out of the way cleverly with his hip. “That goal was important only because it helped Al-Ahly win the game,” he told FIFA.com. “We all play as one and we all succeed as one. It is not about Aboutrika,” the player added, almost apologetic about his exploits. Our goal, and really the most important goal, is to spread happiness for the people in Egypt. Al-Ahly hero Aboutrika “My best wishes go to the great Hossam Ghaly also,” he said, a nod to his injured captain, who will be out for up to six months with torn knee ligaments. Humility aside, the goal was not only important for putting Al-Ahly into the semi-finals, where they will meet Brazilian giants Corinthians. It was also Aboutrika’s fourth goal at a FIFA Club World Cup, putting him at the top of the all-time scorers’ list, right next to one Lionel Messi. “Individual titles are not important,” he said, playing the role of selfless club man and icon. “What is important is for the team to win titles, to win trophies. I am happy to equal Messi’s mark, but I succeed when the team succeeds.” A smile for the fans When talk turns to Al-Ahly’s fans, Aboutrika’s voice goes quieter still. He scored his winning goal directly in front a giant banner hanging below a noisy bank of supporters, reading “79, never forget.” It was a stark reminder of the 79 fans who died in the February 2012 tragedy in Port Said, following an Egyptian top-flight game between Al-Ahly and Al Masry. “Our goal, and really the most important goal, is to spread happiness for the people in Egypt, especially for the families of those fans who died in Port Said,” said Aboutrika, looking down at the ground. “We just want to bring them some small amount of joy, any joy, a smile.” Aboutrika decided to retire from professional football when those fans tragically met their end in the port city. He has since changed his mind, and his perspective on football, and its place in the order of what’s important in life, has evolved. “The result isn’t always the main goal, winning and losing,” said Aboutrika, who is closing in on 100 caps for Egypt’s national team. But while Aboutrika does his level best to adhere to the fans’ idealistic notions of him, he is still a footballer, and a footballer wants to win games. Up next is a test against one of the favourites of the competition, Corinthians of Sao Paulo. “We are not required to beat Corinthians, who are a big name in world football, but we must do our best,” he said, suddenly a look of determination rather than supplication and humility. “They are a big team, but we will make our arrangements and do our all to beat them,” he concluded, before shaking hands and wading into a tide of Egyptian journalists, cameras balanced on shoulders, notepads in hand, eager for a word with this humble man of the hour.