Michael Jackson tribute: Janet Jackson to miss concert

Janet Jackson said she would find it "difficult" to attend the tribute concert in Cardiff

Janet Jackson will not be attending her brother Michael Jackson's tribute concert in Cardiff.

The singer said she would find it "difficult" because it coincides with the trial of the singer's doctor.

Jackson's mother Katherine and his sister LaToya have backed plans for the Michael Forever Tribute concert at the Millennium Stadium on 8 October.

But the event is opposed by brothers Randy and Jermaine and some fans say the timing in inappropriate.

"Because of the trial, the timing of this tribute to our brother would be too difficult for me," Ms Jackson said in a statement.

Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Smokey Robinson are due to headline the concert.

Janet Jackson was not scheduled to perform and her representatives said she had issued the statement in response to media queries about her presence.

Opening statements

The concert will take place in the middle of the high profile trial in Los Angeles of the Thriller singer's doctor, Dr Conrad Murray.

Dr Murray is accused of giving Jackson a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol and failing to monitor him properly, leading to his death in June 2009.

Randy and Jermaine Jackson, along with several Michael Jackson fan clubs, have also said the timing of the tribute is inappropriate given the trial.

Opening statements are expected to begin on September 27 and the trial is likely to last four to six weeks.

Conrad Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and faces a four year prison term if convicted.

Michael Jackson died in June 2009 aged 50 while rehearsing for his This Is It tour.