Helicopter ride to hospital was just for routine MRI scan
Bastian Schweinsteiger will be available for today’s World Cup clash against Portugal after taking a 60-kilometre helicopter flight to hospital to treat a foot injury, the German FA said.
Brazilian media reported that the 29 year old was flown from the team’s base near Porto Seguro to a clinic in Eunapolis on Saturday, with the helicopter option preferred to a trip across the region’s uneven roads.
A local Brazilian website – Radar64 – claimed Schweinsteiger was flown to hospital after taking a knock to his left foot in training on Friday.
But the German FA (DFB) insist the hospital visit was for a routine MRI scan, because of his recent knee injury, and he later rejoined the team in Salvador to prepare for today’s Group G match at the Arena Fonte Nova.
The Bayern Munich midfielder has struggled with tendinitis of the knee since the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) final a month ago.
“It is not a new injury. The examination was part of a measure under the so-called Fifa protection programme concerning technical aspects of an injury,” DFB spokesman Jens Grittner said.
Both Germany captain Philipp Lahm, who had damaged ankle ligaments, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who injured his right shoulder, had similar examinations by team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt before the squad left Germany.
The results were then passed onto Fifa, said Grittner.
Schweinsteiger has been able to take full part in training in Brazil, said Grittner, and was expected to be involved in yesterday’s final session in Salvador.
Schweinsteiger last started a Bayern match on May 10 but came off the bench for a brief appearance in Germany’s warm-up friendly win against Armenia before the squad flew to Brazil.
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