‘Slimming pen’ use on players sparks controversy at Reffis | OneFootball

The saga of São Paulo fans' dissatisfaction with their medical department after 71 injury cases recorded throughout the year gained a new chapter this Friday (12).

The portal ‘UOL‘ revealed that there was a significant internal controversy among the Tricolor's medical staff due to the fact that the nutritionist Eduardo Rauen, who has been with the professional football team since June, prescribed a medication called Mounjaro, commonly known as the 'slimming pen', to two players on the team.

The medication, based on tirzepatide, is originally intended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. According to the portal, its prescription occurred without the consent of other professionals from Reffis.

“People who were at the club before the nutritionist's arrival also say that the lack of integration and chain of command involving various professionals appointed by different advisors within the club was a determining factor in the crisis,” the site's report states.

“There was no controversy. What existed were individualized medical treatments, indicated on a case-by-case basis after thorough clinical evaluations. As described in the leaflet, patients with a BMI above 27.5 associated with comorbidities — in this specific case, joint injuries — have a formal indication for the use of the medication, always with medical supervision, as was done,” said Rauen to ‘UOL’.

“It is important to emphasize that only two athletes were indicated to follow this line. In both cases, the use was done strategically, in an appropriate therapeutic window, which allowed continuous monitoring and evaluation of possible side effects. The data shows that the athletes managed to lose body weight, reduce body fat percentage, and improve muscle mass, even countering the narrative that this conduct should be evaluated,” he added.

“The entire process occurred with daily monitoring, body evaluations, and strict control of physical composition — precisely to avoid any damage, whether to health or rehabilitation. It is important to make it clear: the medication is not on the list of substances prohibited by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), so there is no irregularity or risk of infraction. It is a legitimate, safe medical procedure, supported by literature and executed within ethical and regulatory standards. There is no room for controversies, distortions, or different interpretations,” he pointed out.

“It is a legitimate, safe medical procedure, supported by literature and executed within ethical and regulatory standards. The patient, together with their doctor, can choose to purchase the product directly from Brazilian pharmacies or carry out regular importation, permitted by Anvisa with a prescription. What matters — and we always advise — is that the medication is authentic,” he concluded.

Last week, São Paulo reacted to this endless crisis in the medical department with a package of dismissals and changes for 2026. This cut mainly affected professionals with years at the club.

“My vision has always been — and continues to be — based on science. That is exactly why TecFut exists. Today we know, with broad scientific validation, that athletes with better body composition perform better and have a lower injury rate. It is not an opinion: it is evidence. That is why we advocate the need for nutritional reeducation,” the nutritionist added.

According to him, the procedures used in the professional team are the same he had adopted in the youth categories, where TecFut was implemented earlier and had results considered satisfactory.

“We implemented strategies to optimize body composition through nutritional adjustments, targeted supplementation, and comprehensive metabolic analysis. This allows for individualized training, correction of specific points, and maximization of each athlete's performance. The results were clear: there was a significant reduction in the number of injuries among youth athletes compared to previous years, with availability rates never below 90% for all games. With better nutrition and consequent improvement in body composition, we saw a decrease in cramps, fewer muscle injuries, and increased sustained intensity during the second half of matches. This scenario in the youth categories directly reflected in good results on the field. But none of this would be possible without the integration between TecFut, physiotherapy, the medical department, physiology, and physical preparation. In Cotia, this collaboration was exemplary — and it was precisely this efficient integration that paved the way for TecFut's arrival at Barra Funda,” he said.

TecFut is one of the banners of Julio Casares' management, who has usually invited journalists over the past five years to personally see the machinery and facilities in Cotia. This year, the large number of injuries ended up overshadowing its implementation at Barra Funda.

“Furthermore, it is important to make it clear that I do not agree with the premise that our approach should be studied as a possible cause of the injuries. I joined the club during the last season, and the problems related to injuries were already occurring long before my arrival. In other words, there is no logical or temporal connection linking TecFut's work to the pre-existing injury situation. Our work is based on science, individualization, and integration with other areas, focusing on improving health, strengthening the athlete, and reducing the risk of injuries, exactly as was evidenced in Cotia last year. I want to make it absolutely clear that my focus — and the focus of my entire team — is to deliver the best for São Paulo. The fans know that the team needs to evolve, know that some changes are necessary, and that the club needs support in various areas. I am here precisely to help in this process, to add knowledge, science, and dedication. Nothing more. My commitment is to the athlete, to health, to performance, and above all, to São Paulo,” he emphasized.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.