Mariafrancesca Garritano's comments that eating disorder is rampant is a campaign against Milan theatre, statement says

This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

Accusations by a prima ballerina at La Scala that one in five dancers is anorexic has startled the dance company, which denied the eating disorder is an issue at the theatre in Milan.

The corps de ballet said in a statement on Wednesday they were "flabbergasted and embittered" by Mariafrancesca Garritano's claims that anorexia was rampant, calling it "a campaign against the theatre and the dance world in general".

La Scala said the 33-year-old dancer was fired last month after continuing to make false statements about the theatre that it considered damaging to its reputation.

The dancers said: "There is no emergency of anorexia, and whoever is part of our reality knows it well."