Argentine media on Wednesday put the death of a football fan from a heart attack at the World Cup in South Africa down to an outbreak of hooliganism.

Luis Forlenza, 57, died in Cape Town on Tuesday, two days after being admitted to hospital in the hours following Argentina's quarter-final loss to Germany.

The exact circumstances of his death remain unclear and while the Argentine embassy told AFP Forlenza had died of a heart attack, newspaper Clarin indicated that "he was attacked by supporters of (Argentine club) Independiente."

La Nacion newspaper reported: "Luis Forlenza died from a cardiac problem after being attacked by Independiente supporters".

The report added, however, that two of his friends had said only that they had been assaulted by two "strangers" without mention of any club affiliation.

There was controversy ahead of the tournament amid reports that some 30 "barras bravas" or hooligans known to Argentine police had travelled to South Africa.

In all, some 300 hooligans were believed to have made the trip despite Buenos Aires authorities issuing in advance the names of 800 potential trouble-makers so that South African authorities would be forewarned.

In all, 18 Argentine fans were expelled, 12 others refused entry and 32 went home voluntarily.

Since 1924, 241 people have died in football-related violence in Argentina, according to the Save Football pressure group.

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