Young Reds Fan Fighting to Clear His Name

The family and friends of a young Liverpool fan jailed in Bulgaria after travelling to Istanbul for the Champions League Final are appealing for witnesses to come forward in a bid to clear his name.

Michael Shields, an 18-year old student from Wavertree, has been held in a Bulgarian jail since May 30. He is being accused of a crime he insists he did not commit.

Like many Liverpool fans, Michael and six of his friends travelled to the Champions League Final in Turkey via Bulgaria.

At approximately 5.30am on the morning on Monday 30 May an incident allegedly took place in the Golden Sands resort of Varna in which a local man sustained a serious injury to his head.

Michael's friends vehemently claim that at this time he was asleep in the same hotel room as them.

His father, Michael Shields senior, who has been over in Bulgaria since hearing this news, says: "I'm devastated. I've visited Michael and when he saw me he started crying. I felt the same but I've got to stay strong and I told him to keep his chin up.

More on the story from .TV