 A TEENAGE Liverpool FC fan jailed in Bulgaria for attempted murder has lodged an appeal against his conviction, it was confirmed yesterday. Michael Shields, 18, was jailed for 15 years last month after he was found guilty of hurling a paving slab at a Bulgarian man's head during a fight in Golden Sands, Varna. The teenager, who was staying in the resort after watching his team win the Champions League final in neighbouring Turkey, has always denied any involvement in the fracas. Another Liverpool man, 20-year-old electrician Graham Sankey, confessed to the attack but the evidence was ruled inadmissible at Shields' trial.. His sister, Laura Shields, said: "Michael's solicitor put the papers in for the appeal yesterday, but we are not expecting the hearing to take place for about two months. "They will either quash the conviction, grant Michael a retrial or just throw out the appeal. "Obviously, we would like them to quash the conviction straight away but, even if they ordered a retrial, that would give us the chance to prove Michael is innocent." The Shields family has asked Liverpool supporters in Bulgaria for tonight's match against CSKA Sofia to respect their hosts and not cause trouble. The jailed teenager's father, also called Michael, said: "Let's make it a carnival atmosphere in Sofia and show the whole world what Liverpool supporters are really about and, when the Sofia fans travel to Anfield in a fortnight's time, let's prove that we really are the best and friendliest fans in football." Rafael Benitez also called for "friendliness" between both sets of fans. "The best thing that we can do is to support our team, talk about football and hope to see Michael Shields as soon as possible in England," said Benitez. "I am a football coach and this is a difficult situation. We want to support the family of Michael Shields and we want to support the family of the man who was injured. "The rest is for the courts to decide, and it is more important that our fans will think of friendliness in the game and not other things." | 
