Michael Jackson funeral set for July 7: reports

After plans for a grand public memorial at 'Neverland' fizzled out, the funeral of 'King of Pop' Michael Jackon may be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles next Tuesday.

British tabloid 'Sun' which had published the leaked autopsy report of the pop star claimed that the service will start at 10am at the arena which is home to the LA Lakers basketball team, quoting sources in the US.

The venue, which is owned by AEG Live, the organisers of Jackson's comeback gigs at London's O2 arena, has a seating capacity of 20,000 and is expected to be packed to the full.

AEG also plans to put up giant screens outside the venue for the thousands who will not be able get inside.

Los Angeles Times had first reported about the possibility of the ceremony being held at the Staples centre, citing plans for a massive law enforcement deployment on Tuesday morning.

However, the changed plans have disappointed thousands of Jackson's devotees, who had gathered near his California ranch expecting to pay their final goodbye to their idol.

The sprawling 5,800 acre property, which Jackson named after J M Barrie's fictitious world of Peter Pan, is a symbol of Jackson's success and excesses.

The property has become a makeshift memorial for thousands of Jackson's fans, who have been coming from different parts of the world to pay their tributes to the star.