Chapter 470: Chapter 405: What a Messy Circle
Chen Yu crossed his arms. He now understood why Yan Shiduo had sought him out.
The Executive Committee’s decision was one thing, but the key factors were Blatter’s stance and the Medical Committee’s assessment that the situation in China was unsuitable for hosting the event.
And now that Chen Yu was about to take over the Medical Committee, Yan Shiduo wanted him to conduct a new assessment of China to see if the previous resolution could be overturned.
"Dr. Chen, many, many people have worked incredibly hard to successfully host this Women’s World Cup."
"And it’s not just the external staff. Our women’s national team players also hope to put on a spectacular performance for the fans on home soil and make a run for the championship."
At the 1999 Women’s World Cup in the United States, the heroines of the Chinese national team fought hard, only to narrowly lose to the United States Team in a penalty shootout, finishing as the runner-up.
They had regrouped this year, hoping to make a run for the title at a World Cup hosted on their home turf.
Yan Shiduo continued, "Dr. Chen, I know this is a very forward request, but the situation in our country has genuinely improved a great deal. The World Cup is scheduled for September of this year, and we are confident we can eliminate the effects of the disease before it begins."
His tone was earnest, and as he finished, he added a subtle hint.
He implied that if Chen Yu were to help this time, he would earn the gratitude of the Chinese Football Association and the national sports authorities.
Chen Yu gave him a speechless look.
’This ’gratitude’ you’re talking about sounds a lot like a bribe.’
It wasn’t exactly breaking news that FIFA officials took bribes.
But Chen Yu had no intention of accepting.
For one, he looked down on that kind of petty cash. For another, he could easily earn it himself through his own skills. Why would he invite trouble?
"Mr. Yan, there’s no need for any ’gratitude.’ As you know, I haven’t officially taken over the Medical Committee yet, so I’m not privy to the details of this matter. How about this: let me get a better understanding of the situation, and then I’ll give you an answer." Chen Yu neither agreed nor refused outright.
Chen Yu still had a soft spot for China.
Besides, he felt that what FIFA had done wasn’t right.
They had worked painstakingly for two years, and then at the last minute, FIFA just canceled it. The half-hearted compensation of the 2007 hosting rights meant that after four years, all the initial investment would be wasted.
Of course, the disease was an unforeseen circumstance. But from the news Chen Yu had been following, China already had the situation well under control.
"Dr. Chen, thank you so much." Yan Shiduo shot up from his seat, overjoyed, and shook Chen Yu’s hand excitedly.
Chen Yu waved his hand, signaling it was nothing.
’It’s far from a done deal.’
After they chatted for a little while longer, Zhang Jianqiang, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, suddenly spoke up. "Dr. Chen, if it’s convenient, there’s a medical issue I’d like to consult you about. Would that be all right?"
"Go ahead."
Chen Yu sat up a little straighter.
To be honest, compared to all this FIFA nonsense, Chen Yu much preferred discussing injuries and the athletes themselves.
Zhang Jianqiang glanced at Yan Shiduo before saying, "It’s like this. We have a player on our National Olympic Team named Qu Bo. This past January, during a friendly match against Egypt, he stepped in an unseen hole on the pitch and twisted his right foot. The post-game examination revealed a fracture at the base of his right fifth metatarsal."
Chen Yu raised an eyebrow slightly.
The injury was quite similar to the one Xiaobei had suffered last year.
However, there were some specific differences.
Xiaobei’s injury was to the shaft of the bone, whereas Qu Bo’s was at the base.
A fracture at the base typically affects the mobility of the arch of the foot. It requires precise reduction, and especially for an athlete, Chen Yu believed it would require surgery to correct.
"Did he have surgery?" Chen Yu asked in return.
Zhang Jianqiang shook his head. "No, they just put it in a cast."
Seeing Chen Yu frown slightly, he paused for a moment before asking, "Dr. Chen, is there a problem with just using a cast?"
Chen Yu said, "It’s not that there’s necessarily a problem—it depends on the specific fracture. But for a fracture in this location, I would personally recommend surgery. A fracture at the base will affect the arch of the foot, which ultimately impacts athletic ability."
"Since he’s a professional athlete, surgery is even more critical for a precise reduction."
Chen Yu went on to explain to the three of them why a fracture at the base affects the arch of the foot.
After he finished, Chen Yu glanced at Zhang Jianqiang and said, "So he’s fractured it again, hasn’t he? In the exact same spot."
Zhang Jianqiang’s eyes flew wide open, and he stared at Chen Yu with an expression of utter disbelief.
"Dr. Chen, you’re incredible!"
Yan Shiduo gave Chen Yu a direct thumbs-up.
’As expected of the world’s top orthopedic authority.’ He had now seen it for himself.
Zhang Jianqiang heaved a long sigh. "Xiaoqu is just incredibly unlucky. After his fracture in January, he spent nearly three months recovering before his return. Then, on the 3rd of last month, he felt pain in his left foot after a match. It was only treated simply at the time, and he went back to normal training the very next day."
"Then came the 6th. During training, he was accidentally tackled on his right foot by a teammate. Just as you predicted, the site of the original fracture on his right foot was injured again."
"When we took X-rays later, we discovered that not only had he suffered a new fissure fracture at the site of his old right-foot injury, but he also had a fissure fracture in a bone in his left foot."
Chen Yu shook his head to himself. It was truly unbelievable.
If the re-fracture of his right foot could be chalked up to bad luck, what about the pain in his left foot on the 3rd? Why wasn’t it taken seriously? Why was he allowed to train normally the next day? Why did they wait until after he reinjured his right foot on the 6th to finally discover that his left foot was fractured too?
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