Liverpool escape censure over Shields support

The Football Association will not take any formal action against Liverpool after their players wore T-shirts carrying a message of support for a fan who was jailed for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian waiter in 2005.

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Shields' parents campaign for their son's release at Anfield.

Liverpool players wore the T-shirts in the warm-up for the Premier League match against West Ham on Monday.

Michael Shields was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of the attempted murder of Martin Georgiev in Bulgaria on a holiday taken after seeing his side win the Champions League final in Istanbul.

Liverpool's players were seen wearing 'Free Michael now' T-shirts while warming up ahead of Monday's televised 0-0 draw with West Ham at Anfield and Brookside actress Sue Johnston was invited on to the pitch with Shields' parents to make a speech calling for British justice secretary, Jack Straw, to "do the right thing".

Despite another man confessing to the attack, Shields was locked up and his sentence was reduced to 10 years on appeal. He was transferred to the UK to serve the remainder of his sentence, but his supporters have never halted their campaign to prove his innocence.

Another Liverpool fan admitted being responsible for the crime before later retracting his confession and Shields' case will go before a high court review on Thursday.

An FA spokesman said: "We have spoken to Liverpool Football Club about this matter. We understand that Michael Shields' case is a very emotive issue and one that many Liverpool players and fans feel strongly about.

"Having heard the club's explanation we will not be taking any formal action, and we are satisfied that they understand the sensitivities around football matches being used as a platform for political messages.''