EMILE MPENZA is suing his former Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock over claims he missed training after taking Viagra.
The former Belgian striker appeared just three times under the experienced manager during an injury-ravaged year at Plymouth in 2008.
Sturrock wrote in his autobiography that former Manchester City striker Mpenza could not train one morning after he was still aroused from taking the erectile dysfunction drug the previous evening.
The Scot wrote: “I was told in all seriousness that Emile had taken Viagra the previous night and still had an erection and wouldn’t be able to take part in training.
“The excuse has gone down in the annals of urban myths but I swear it’s true.
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“Even by the standards of football’s surreal moments, it is in a class of its own.”
Mpenza, who also played for Hamburg, Standard Liege and Schlake in his impressive career, has strongly denied the claims and is taking legal action.
The 38-year-old’s lawyer Laurent Denis told the Daily Record: “We have launched a claim for damages.
“Emile has been deeply shocked by this imaginary tale, which undermines his reputation and seeks to discredit him.
"Not only does the use of Viagra suggest sexual impotence but for good measure it turns out to be an illicit doping product."
Mpenza won 57 caps for Belgium before he retired from playing in 2014.
Sturrock’s last job in football ended when he was sacked by Yeovil last December with the Glovers sitting bottom of League Two.
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