Brits Offered Viagra for World Cup Games

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - England's soccer team may be turning to Viagra for a boost at next year's World Cup in South Africa.

The Daily Telegraph reports that coach Fabio Capello is considering having his players take the sexual performance enhancement pills before matches.

Viagra reportedly helps athletes combat the affects that altitude has on their breathing. Several of the stadiums that will be used for the World Cup matches in South Africa will be more than 3,000 feet above sea level with the final played at Soccer City in high-altitude Johannesburg, which is 5,558 feet above sea level.

The English team also plans to have their training camp based in Rustenburg, South Africa, which is 4,921 feet above sea level.

Sports scientist Richard Pullen has been commissioned by the England's Football Association to come up with special training techniques to help beat this altitude issue.

"I'll point out to the England squad the potential benefits of using Viagra for games played at altitude," Pullen told News of the World . "It's scientifically proven that the process of how Viagra works in the body, by enlarging the blood vessels, can improve performance of some athletes. ... I'm sure several countries at the World Cup will consider using Viagra."

Viagra is not a banned substance in most sports, but it might cause problems for some of the athletes.

"There can be some side effects which might adversely effect performance, such as blurred vision, headaches or flushed faces," Pullen warned.

All the teams participating in the World Cup will have to factor in the altitude. A study by Adidas shows altitude will have an impact of up to 5 percent on a ball's speed. That means a 20-yard free kick during the final at Soccer City will reach the goal line 5 percent faster than it would at a stadium located at sea level.