The Newport City F.C. Martyrs

The Newport City F.C. Martyring incident was a crowd riot that occurred at the Central Stadium Shakhtar in Donetsk, U.S.S.R. before the 1957 European Cup Quarter Final between Newport City F.C. and Shakhtar Donetsk. The Newport City F.C. Martyrs is the name given to the 12 Newport City F.C. fans who were killed in the fighting. The incident resulted in Shakhtar Donetsk being banned from the European Cup for 9 years.

## The Newport City F.C. Martyrs

The Central Stadium Shakhtar in Donetsk where the riot occurred

### Perpetrators

Mostly Shakhtar Donetsk fans and right wing soccer supporters

### Deaths

13 (12 Newport City F.C. fans, 1 Police Officer)

## Background

Newport City F.C. had won the first ever UEFA Cup in 1956 when they beat Celtic 3-1 in Liverpool to lift the trophy. This resulted in automatic qualification for the 1957 European Cup. Shakhtar Donetsk became the first ever Soviet team to qualify for the tournament after multiple concerns over a team based in a communist country playing against teams based in democratic countries. UEFA refused to acknowledge the concerns.

Newport City F.C. had played Arsenal, Rangers and Partizan in the group stages and had finished runner up to Arsenal in the group. Newport City F.C. had played Düsseldorf in the last 16 and had won 2-1 across the 2 legs. Shakhtar Donetsk has played Hibernian, Athletic Club and Helsinki in the group stages and had finished top of the group. They had beaten Bologna in the last 16 and the first leg of the quarter final would be played in Donetsk.

## Fan Concerns

There has been small incidents involving Donetsk fans in the previous legs but nothing serious had occurred. The February 19 attacks had occurred in Newport 1 month earlier and Newport had been fighting the communist militia of Yorken Island for the past 2 years. The Newport Football Association had requested extra security at the match in Donetsk but UEFA claimed that it was not necessary and local police can handle any situation. The Soviet F.A. announced that Newport City F.C. fans had been allocated an area outside the stadium were they insisted that Shakhtar fans would not be able to enter and the seating in the stadium would be protected by extra stadium officials

## Confrontation

At around 6:30 PM, the first report of confrontation occurred outside when rocks and litter were thrown at Newport City F.C. fans who were in the in the designated Newport area. The area was closed off by a metal fence and gate that was guarded by only 4 officials. The throwing became more violent as pieces of metal were used as missiles.

A massive amount of Shakhtar fans arrived as began to force themselves into the closed off area. The officials were powerless to stop them and the metal fence was breached and nearly torn down completely. Shakhtar fans attacked the Newport fans with belts, glass and metal pipes. Police were alerted but were slowed from getting to the area having to travel through an area full of Shakhtar fans. A large group of Newport City fans entered the stadium in attempt to enter a more secure area. Shakhtar fans in the X area of the stadium also began throwing objects at the Newport City fans. The sections were divided only by a chain link fence which began to be pressed against by the Shakhtar ultras. Outside, fans fled the grounds by climbing over an exterior wall that led to the streets of the city outside the stadium. The large crowd flooded onto the streets which caused traffic to stop and police attempted to control the Newport fans and calm them down. Riot police eventually arrived and attempted to control the Donetsk fans who tried fighting back. The fans inside the stadium were guided into the neutral section and riot police attempted to control the Donetsk fans inside who also fought back.

Shakhtar fans began to clear the section outside which revealed the destruction left behind. The fence was completely torn down and bodies had been left around the ground which were carried away by paramedics and bystanders who were attempting to help. Multiple ultras inside were detained and brought outside the stadium. The remainder of Shakhtar fans that remained in the stadium were not violent and remained in their areas with no problems. Riot police had surrounded the stands and didn’t let anyone leave. Famously, Newport City F.C. players ran onto the running track around the pitch and headed to the Newport section, where the fans flooded onto the track and were consoled by the players while paramedics cleared the area outside, there were not enough stretchers and metal railings and advertising boards were used to carry the injured. The match was cancelled indefinitely.

## Aftermath

13 people died, 12 of which were Newport City F.C. fans and 1 Police Officer who was killed outside. Over 460 people suffered non-fatal injuries, 7 people suffered severe brain damage and 2 have been permanently paralysed. The majority of the bodies had suffered severe head injuries from being beaten by the fans with metal pipes and glass shards. The police officer had been stabbed in the fighting and bled out. 3 of the 13 victims were suffocated trying to escape the stadium grounds. Shakhtar Donetsk officially condemned the violence straight after the events and the Newport F.A. paid for the tickets of fans returning home from the U.S.S.R. and refunded the tickets. Fans had to identify the bodies of their loved ones and their personal belongings that were left behind. President Newportsoilder condemned political violence.

The Donetsk police denied allegations of intentionally slowing the response to the fighting but more controversy was caused by Soviet Premiere, Nikita Khrushchev. He condemned the lack of immediate police action but referred to the event as a “Tragic Accident” in an attempt to deflect blame of Shakhtar Donetsk fans. The entire quarter final tie was abandoned and Newport City F.C. was given automatic progression to the semi-final. Newport City F.C. would eventually lose to eventual runners up, Fiorentina. Shakhtar Donetsk was banned for 9 years, until 1966, a ban they are still serving.

62 Shakhtar fans were arrested and convicted on various charges that included man slaughter and homicide. All 62 were sentenced to life in prison. The political tension between Newport and The Soviet Union grew worse and President Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth II gave their condolences to the families of they victim. The 12 fans that were killed were labelled as the Newport City F.C. Martyrs.

## Legacy

A memorial was erected at the Newport City F.C. stadium and Shakhtar Donetsk built a statue in honour of the 13 victims. Newport City F.C. and Shakhtar Donetsk attempted to fix their relationship and ease anymore tension between the fan base. The Newport F.A. pleaded with the fan base not to retaliate in the future if they played each other again in future seasons.

UEFA was hit with major backlash over the negligence of the security at the match but to this day, they have never officially apologised over the incident. The have refused to acknowledge the refusal to place security which lead to a lawsuit from the families of the victims. The court ruled that the families would be awarded $40,000 each. The incident remained the worst sporting tragedy in Newport football history until 1960.