The f₀ Mesons in Processes ππtoππ, Kbar{K} and Chiral Symmetry

In a combined analysis of the experimental data on the coupled processes $\pi\pi\to\pi\pi,K\bar{K}$ in the channel with $I^GJ^{PC}=0^+0^{++}$, the following results are obtained in a model-independent way: 1) The $f_0(665)$ state with properties of the $\sigma$-meson is proved to exist; 2) it is shown that the ${f_0}(980)$ and especially ${f_0}(1370)$ (if exists) have a dominant $s{\bar s}$ component; 3) indications of the glueball nature of the $f_0(1500)$ and of a considerable $s{\bar s}$ component in the ${f_0}(1710)$ are obtained; 4) conclusion on the linear realization of chiral symmetry is drawn.