‘Weight loss pen’ use on players sparks Reffis controversy | OneFootball

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

The portal ‘UOL‘ revealed that there was major internal controversy among the Tricolor’s medical staff over the fact that nutritionist Eduardo Rauen, who has been with the professional football team since June, prescribed a medication called Mounjaro—commonly referred to as the ‘weight loss pen’—to two players on the squad.

This 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 several professionals appointed by different board members within the club was a determining factor in the crisis,” the site’s report states.

“There was no controversy whatsoever. What existed were individualized medical treatments, prescribed on a case-by-case basis after thorough clinical evaluations. As described in the package insert, 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,” Rauen told ‘UOL’.

“It’s important to highlight that only two athletes were indicated to follow this approach. In both cases, the use was strategic, within an appropriate therapeutic window that allowed for continuous monitoring and evaluation of possible side effects. The data show that the athletes managed to lose body weight, decrease body fat percentage, and improve muscle mass, directly countering the narrative that this conduct should be questioned,” he added.

“The entire process took place with daily monitoring, body assessments, and strict control of physical composition—precisely to avoid any harm, whether to health or rehabilitation. It’s important to make clear: the medication is not on WADA’s (World Anti-Doping Agency) list of prohibited substances, so there is no irregularity or risk of infraction. This is a legitimate, safe medical procedure, backed by the literature and carried out within ethical and regulatory standards. There is no room for controversy, distortion, or alternative interpretations,” he pointed out.

“This is a legitimate, safe medical procedure, backed by the literature and carried out within ethical and regulatory standards. The patient, together with their doctor, can choose to buy the product directly from Brazilian pharmacies or import it regularly, which is permitted by Anvisa with a prescription. What matters—and what we always advise—is that the medication is authentic,” he concluded.

Last week, São Paulo responded to this never-ending crisis in the medical department with a wave of dismissals and changes set for 2026. This round of cuts mainly affected professionals who had been with the club for years.

“My view has always been—and continues to be—based on science. That’s 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. This is not opinion: it’s evidence. That’s why we advocate for the need for nutritional re-education,” the nutritionist added.

According to him, the procedures used with the professional team are the same as those he had adopted in the youth categories, where TecFut was first implemented and yielded satisfactory results.

“We implemented strategies to optimize body composition through nutritional adjustments, targeted supplementation, and comprehensive metabolic analysis. This allows us to individualize training, correct specific points, and maximize each athlete’s performance. The results were clear: there was a significant reduction in the number of injuries among youth players compared to previous years, with availability rates never below 90% for all matches. With better nutrition and consequent improvement in body composition, we saw fewer 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 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 hallmarks of Julio Casares’ administration, which in the last five years has often invited journalists to personally visit the equipment and facilities in Cotia. This year, however, the large number of injuries ended up overshadowing its implementation at Barra Funda.

“Furthermore, it’s important to make 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 injury problems had already been occurring long before my arrival. In other words, there is no logical or chronological connection between TecFut’s work and 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 demonstrated 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 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 than that. 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.