Talk of England players considering Viagra to deal with conditions in Mexico City ahead of their World Cup clash with Mexico has prompted a firm response from manager Thomas Tuchel.
England and Mexico meet in the World Cup round of 16 on Sunday, July 5, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals and the loser heading home.
For England, the build-up has focused not only on tactics and recovery, but also on the challenge posed by Mexico City Stadium, the tournament name for the iconic Estadio Azteca.
Official FIFA information puts the venue at an altitude of about 2,240 metres above sea level, where thinner air can make breathing and recovery more difficult.
That can create a serious test for players expected to cover huge distances over 90 minutes while maintaining intensity throughout the game, especially with only a few days between matches.
Speculation then emerged around whether Viagra had been discussed as a possible way to help players cope with those conditions.
Tuchel dismissed that suggestion when he spoke to reporters before the match.
He was asked directly during Saturday’s press conference whether England were looking at Viagra as a way to offset the effects of playing at altitude.
“The information to support it didn’t reach me, so that’s not true,” Tuchel said bluntly.
Even so, there would be no anti-doping issue if a player did use it, as sildenafil is not included on the current World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list.
WADA has also noted in its research that sildenafil may improve oxygen delivery in some altitude conditions, although the size of any effect depends heavily on the environment and the individual.
In its scientific review, the agency says the drug is unlikely to improve oxygen delivery or exercise performance for most endurance-trained athletes at altitudes below 4,000 metres.
That lack of a clear competitive advantage is a major reason it has not been banned.
Tuchel had already acknowledged that the venue itself presents a major obstacle for England following the team’s win over DR Congo.
“It is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, the most exciting fixtures that you can have, to play against Mexico in the Azteca,” Tuchel said.
“And there will be a lot of obstacles waiting for us, not to mention the altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It’s just impossible.”
The challenge is made sharper by the short turnaround for England, who reached the last 16 after beating DR Congo and have had only limited time to acclimatise before facing the hosts in one of world football’s most famous stadiums.
Mexico, meanwhile, will be familiar with both the setting and the conditions, with the Azteca having long been one of the most intimidating venues in the international game.