The family of Michael Shields, the British football fan who was sentenced to ten years in Bulgaria for the attempted murder of a barman, have been shocked by the news.
"His family were hoping a retrial would be announced and were shocked he would continue his jail term, albeit reduced, " BBC reported.
Shields' aunt, Jeanette Shields, said the family were "dumbfounded" at the decision on Friday.
"We are just trying to take it all in at the moment. Michael's father called with the news, we are totally dumbfounded. We don't know what to do next."
Shields' father, also called Michael, and his mother Marie were in Varna when they heard the news.
Shields said he was "very angry" and was trying to come to terms with the decision, BBC said.