They experienced their latest misadventure "near their home" yesterday, when a group of Cagliari ultras stormed the bus carrying Palermo fans to the stadium and the smoke bombs launched ignited small fires in the brush and reeds neglected by years.

But for the residents of the San Bartolomeo district, every Cagliari game at the Domus is hell: the road they use to get home is closed to traffic because it is close to the stadium and the civic market of Sant'Elia , which every Saturday loses hundreds of customers.

With relegation to Serie B it's even worse: games are often played on Saturdays at 2 pm and hundreds of residents cannot move from home for several hours . Those returning from work or school find their way blocked.

«We are exasperated», a resident vents, « last year I was also reported for an altercation with a traffic policeman who did not allow me to go home at night, explaining to me that they were orders from the prefect. We are locked up like rats, yet it would be enough to ban parking of cars near our houses and make people go to the stadium on foot, creating a lane for residents only. I hope that new rules will be studied for next year to protect us».

Another resident complains: «This stadium was supposed to be temporary, who knows how many more years we will remain in this situation. Too many disservices, reported several times, but nothing has changed ».

Even the few operators left in a now half-empty civic market complain about the situation: «Saturday should be the best day in terms of turnout and takings, instead they close the street and nobody comes. By now there are only a few of us, the pits are deserted, only a few loyal customers come ».

Cagliari Calcio's attempt to meet market operators by giving away a ticket to those who shop on match day was of little use.

(Unioneonline/L)

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