LIVERPOOL football fan Michael Shields, who was jailed for 15 years in Bulgaria for the attempted murder of a barman, has today been pardoned.

LIVERPOOL football fan Michael Shields, who was jailed for 15 years in Bulgaria for the attempted murder of a barman, has today been pardoned.

Shields, 22, was convicted after a disturbance following Liverpool FC's European Cup victory in Turkey in 2005 and was later transferred to a prison in the UK.

His pardon follows a campaign by his family, MPs, clergymen, Liverpool FC players and many others, who believe he is innocent.

His lawyer said he would be freed today and that he was “absolutely ecstatic.”