Former President Basescu pays last respects to football manager Mircea Lucescu
Former Romanian President Traian Basescu on Thursday paid his last respects to national football manager Mircea Lucescu. Basescu arrived at the National Arena, where Lucescu's coffin is laid in state, with a wreath of white flowers, which he placed at the base of the bier. The wreath was brought in by two representatives of the Romanian Gendarmerie, who also stand guard at the coffin.
The former president observed a moment of silence and then spoke briefly with the coach's son, Razvan Lucescu.
'I have only one word to say: RESPECT for Mircea Lucescu. He had an extraordinary life, dedicated to sport and Romania. Respect for Lucescu,' Basescu said as he left the National Arena.
In 2009, President Traian Basescu decorated Mircea Lucescu with the Star of Romania National Order in the rank of Knight, in recognition of his entire football career and the achievements crowned by Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk's 2009 UEFA Cup victory in Istanbul.
Mircea Lucescu will be buried on Friday with military honors. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Andreea Rotaru; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)
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