**A Bulgarian politician has disputed the royal pardon given to Michael Shields, the Liverpool fan convicted of attacking a barman in his country.**The former deputy prime minister Ivailo Kalfin said he was “very shocked by the decision” and it “gave a very bad signal to football hooliganism”.
Barman, Martin Georgiev, who was left with a fractured skull during the attack, has also queried the decision.
Mr Shields, of Liverpool, was pardoned by Justice Secretary Jack Straw.
Mr Kalfin, who is now a Bulgarian MEP, said: "I feel that, over the past few days, political considerations took over the need for justice and I am really disturbed with it.
‘Still in pain’
"Jack Straw has to find some explanation for his decision but this is not convincing - several people saw the attack.
“Mr Shields has been convicted, and we have received no written confession from anyone suggesting otherwise.”
Mr Georgiev was hit with a paving stone in Varna, shortly after the Champions League final in 2005.
“I would be curious to know on what grounds they freed him, I still suffer from my injuries,” Mr Georgiev said.
The victim, who had been working in one of the bars in the city when he was attacked, said: "It is not for me to say, it was the court’s decision.
"I am not the person who decides on the fate of Michael Shields.
“But I know that I am still in pain, my health is not good - a change in the seasons and I hurt more.”