Fiorentina is bitterly disappointed to learn that Italia Nostra has appealed to the Italian President to block the Viola Park project and has called for a precautionary suspension of works.

The club is shocked and surprised at this development, particularly because we first began dedicating people and financial resources to the project over 18 months ago.

We have complied with all rules and adhered to all instructions given, not least those from the superintendence.

As has been underlined by Mayor Casini, the approval procedure for the project lasted four months compared with the standard 60 days.

However, despite having received all the necessary authorisations, purchased the land, identified local companies to participate in the project and already paid the necessary fees to the Municipality of Bagno a Ripoli, and despite the fact that this hugely significant project for Italy has already been given the green light, they now want to block it.

Viola Park will not only allow Fiorentina to own its own training centre for the first time ever, providing it with a space to develop our young male and female players, but it will also enable us to generate numerous jobs at what is a very difficult time for Italian families, not to mention the global economy as a whole.

Fiorentina has been very grateful for the support shown so far by institutions in sport, football and politics at the local and national level. Most of all, we’re grateful for the support of the Viola fans, who stand with us in this situation and deserve respect from all, at all times.

There is no question that everything must take place in strict compliance with the law.

The club has complete faith that the relevant bodies and organisms will confirm the validity of the process that we have followed to deliver this project, and we call for calm at this time.

The Fiorentina fans know the meaning of respect and manners. Violence and threats are never the right way to achieve something.

For now, we must focus on football and on our important match against Benevento tomorrow. There will be time for us to address and explain this unpredictable, incredible situation in due course.