Thai killed in Italy v Australia penalty brawl

BANGKOK, June 28 (Reuters) A dispute about the last minute penalty which put Italy through to the World Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Australia ended with one Thai soccer fan killing another, a newspaper reported today.

Italian fan Saran Channarong stabbed Australia supporter Rabieb Lukchan twice after Rabieb insisted the referee had been biased in giving Italy the penalty which was converted by Francesco Totti with the last kick of the game for a 1-0 win, the newspaper said.

The two men had been drinking as they watched Sunday's game at a grocery shop in the southern province of Nakohn Si Thammarat, the Daily News newspaper quoted police as saying.

Rabieb, 45, died in hospital and police were looking for 20-year-old Saran, it said.

A Nakohn Si Thammarat police officer confirmed the fatal dispute had been World Cup related, but could not confirm details of the quarrel.

REUTERS PDS HT1442