Fiorentina hits Juve for interference in Berbatov deal

Serie A side Fiorentina have hit out at Italian champions Juventus for alleged interference in their ultimately futile bid to sign Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov, who is now expected to sign for Fulham, had been expected to sign for Fiorentina on Thursday a day after arriving in Florence where fans of La Viola packed the airport to await the Bulgarian. However some last-minute intervention by Juventus appears to have prompted Berbatov to change his mind and remain in England. Fiorentina had agreed terms with Berbatov and paid for his plane ticket. Club bosses were furious he did not show but also hit out at the “companies” who they believe scuppered the deal. A statement from Fiorentina issued late Wednesday confirmed that the deal had “fallen through after an agreement had been reached with Manchester United... and after it had agreed contract terms with the player.” It added: “During the day (Wednesday) the English club granted permission for the player to travel to Florence for a medical and to sign the contract.”