The effective mass spectrum of pi(0) pairs produced in pp central coll
isions (pp --> pf pi(0) pi(0)p(s)) at 450 GeV/c, root s = 29 GeV, belo
w 1 GeV differs from that observed in peripheral charge exchange react
ions, In particular, there is a large number of events between pi pi-t
hreshold and 1 GeV, that interfere with f(0)(980) destructively. The p
ossible existence of a broad S-wave state is suggested. (C) 1997 Publi
shed by Elsevier Science B.V.