Thousands Pay Their Respects To Puerta

The untimely death of Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta has shocked the footballing world, with thousands visiting Antonio Puerta's chapel at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium to pay their final respects...

Antonio Puerta's funeral takes place today, with his body being held at the chapel in the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium until then.

Thousands have arrived to pay their respects, with 5,000 or more even waiting as the player's body was brought in to the chapel just after midnight.

The player's coffin has been draped with Sevilla and Spanish flags, while elsewhere in the chapel is a place to lay wreaths and Sevilla shirts and scarves.

As well as Sevilla, other teams are represented: Betis, Recreativo and Valencia fans have all shown their own mark of respect.

Elsewhere, around the stadium, mourners have laid flowers and photographs, and lit candles in the memory of the 22 year old midfielder, who died on Tuesday afternoon.

Puerta's coffin arrived at the stadium at 12:20am, local time, and was met by an incredible chorus of "Puerta, Sevilla está contigo" (Puerta, Sevilla is with you) from the supporters.

As family members, friends and former team-mates arrived to pay their respects, they were all cheered and greeted by the crowd as Sevilla and Betis fans united outside to remember a fallen hero.

At midday on Wednesday a service will be held for Puerta that will be attended by the majority of clubs in Spanish football, with directors, former player and current stars attending.

The entire Real Betis squad is due to be there, along with the coaching staff and directors, while AC Milan will also have people present.

Puerta's coffin will then be taken to the San Fernando cemetery where he will be cremated during a private ceremony at 2pm that will be attended by family, close friends and his Sevilla team-mates.