The former physio of Bolivian side Blooming said Friday he had administered Viagra to several players to help them conquer the effects of playing at altitude in La Paz.
"We used Sildenafil, better known as Viagra. In Bolivia, the best-known brand is Segurex. We prescribed it for several players, especially those who suffered most from altitude," Rodrigo Figueroa, a Chilean, told La Prensa newspaper.
Figueroa said he administered the product, which La Prensa said aids oxygenisation, mixing it with fruit juice for matches at La Paz, which stands 3,570 above sea level.
Blooming's base at Santa Cruz, in contrast, stands at barely 400 metres above sea level.
Figueroa, now with Bolivar, who are based in La Paz, admitted the players were unaware of what they were taking.
"Eight or nine players were concerned," he added, while stressing Sildenafil was not on the list of banned products either of the World Doping Agency or FIFA.
Asked about his old side's results using the product Figueroa said simply: "At altitude you win, you draw, you lose. The best results came when the team relied on strong tactical nous."
OFFBEAT NEWS
Viagra rises to Bolivian altitude challenge
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