Liverpool FC will not face FA charge for Free Michael Shields protest

Dec 3 2008 by Mike Chapple, Liverpool Daily Post

Michael Shields mosaic on the Kop 320

LIVERPOOL FC will not be charged by the Football Association for allowing the Free Michael Shields protest to go ahead before the game against West Ham at Anfield on Monday night.

Players including Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso and captain Steven Gerard warmed up wearing Free Michael Now T-shirts before the game a phrase that was also displayed as a mosaic in the Kop.

The jailed Liverpool fan’s parents Michael snr and Marie, together with actress Sue Johnston, were also allowed to address the crowd at the match which was covered live by the Setanta Sports channel. An article claiming Shield’s innocence also appeared in the club programme.

Some media sources today intimated that the club would be disciplined, especially in the wake of the recent goal celebration enacted by Ipswich midfielder David Norris and subsequent FA disciplinary charge.

Norris mimicked being handcuffed in support of his friend, the former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick, who had recently been sentenced to seven years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving of two young brothers. Norris was fined £5,000 and made a public apology, the money being donated to charity.

But an FA spokesman told the Daily Post: "We have spoken to Liverpool Football Club today 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.

"As far as we’re concerned the matter is now closed."

He added that the Norris case was an entirely different issue as the demonstration had taken place in open play and not during warm-up training and that McCormick had been convicted by a British court.

Shields was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the attempted murder of waiter Martin Georgiev in 2005 and has since had two appeals through the Bulgarian court dismissed as well as an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights rejected.