SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian football icon Johnny Warren will be granted a funeral by his home state, the New South Wales government says.
The much-admired Warren died on Saturday aged 61 after a two-year delibitating battle with lung cancer.
State funerals are usually reserved for former premiers and Chief Justices but are also granted to "distinguished citizens".
Warren captained Australia to its only appearance in the World Cup finals in Germany in 1974 and played 42 internationals for his country from 1965 to 1974.
He was a passionate advocate for the sport in Australia and helped form the revamped Australian Premier League competition, which will kick off next August.
NSW Premier Bob Carr announced that Warren would be provided with a state funeral, the first time a sporting figure has been awarded one in NSW, the Premier's office said.
"Johnny Warren was a great Australian," Carr said in a statement.
"He was Mr Football - the man with vision and passion for developing the 'world game' in Australia."
Carr said that the state government's office of protocol and special events would meet with Warren's family to finalise arrangements for the funeral, which was likely to take place early next week.
The news that Warren, a highly-respected player, coach and advocate for football, would receive a state funeral was welcomed by the Australian football community.
John O'Neill, chief executive of the Australian Soccer Association, said it was a "fitting tribute" to Warren.
One of Warren's many football commitments was his position of the NSW Premier's special advisor on football development, engaged in 1992.
He also chaired the Premier's football taskforce, reporting to Carr on the drive to develop elite talent in NSW and last month, Carr announced the establishment of the Johnny Warren soccer academy.
"The academy will serve as a permanent legacy to Johnny," Carr said.
Warren became the first Australian soccer personality to be presented with an MBE award in 1973 and in 1988 he was inducted into the Australian Sports Hall of Fame.
In July FIFA president Sepp Blatter presented Warren with the Centennial Medal of Honour for his services to football.
11/08/2004 - 08:23 GMT - AFP