George Best's funeral will be held in Belfast next Saturday, his agent said last night. Phil Hughes said he was flying to Northern Ireland with the football legend's body on Wednesday.
He added: "I am bringing him home (to Belfast) on Wednesday. We are still fine-tuning the final arrangements."
Prayers were said in churches yesterday for Best, who died aged 59 on Friday. Flowers and other tributes have piled up at a makeshift shrine to Best close to the Christmas Tree outside Belfast City Hall. The building will again open its doors to the public today to allow more fans to sign books of condolence. Thousands have already queued to sign the books.
The Football Association of Ireland will open a book of condolence at 1pm at Merrion Square, Dublin, today for members of the public to add their messages of sympathy.
Fans gathered at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium to pay their respects and sign a book of condolence and people in Belfast yesterday continued to honour their hometown hero.
More tributes have been left outside the Best family home in the Cregagh area of east Belfast from which Best left as a teenager to seek fame with Manchester United.
Best's family and Castlereagh Borough Council, which made him an honorary Freeman in 2002, have been working together to make arrangements for his funeral, which could be the biggest event seen in Belfast.
Best's wish to be buried beside his mother Annie in the hill-top Roselawn Cemetery overlooking east Belfast will be granted.
Meanwhile, football fans across Britain paid tribute with a minute's silence at matches over the weekend, which broke out into applause at several grounds.
Manchester United fans had the chance to say their farewells with a minute's applause before yesterday's Premiership clash with West Ham at Upton Park.
Emotional introductions were made by former West Ham star Trevor Brooking and Best's former United team-mate Bobby Charlton, before referee Steve Bennett's whistle began the official proceedings.
Charlton earlier announced that United fans will be consulted on a fitting permanent tribute to Best. One option is for a statue to be erected in his honour alongside that of Matt Busby at Old Trafford.
"We (the United board) will talk about it, but I would imagine we will let the fans have their say," he said.
"Whatever happens, and whatever is there for people to come and look at about George Best, will be something that justifies all the hard work and all the great talent he showed in playing for Manchester United.
"It will be thought about very, very carefully, but we hope to do him justice."
