Lightning strike kills Racing masseur

Published Jan. 12, 2011 12:51 a.m. ET

foxsports

A masseur for Buenos Aires football club Racing died after being struck by lightning during a team practice session Tuesday.

The club identified the dead man as 61-year-old Cesar Nardi, who was a massage therapist and had been worked for the club for 10 years. Reporters at the training ground said he was struck while standing near a metal sprinkler. Defender Braian Lluy was also struck but escaped major injuries.

"We are shocked and badly affected by what happened," club president Rodolfo Molina said. "He (Nardi) was a much loved person and very dedicated to his job."

Molina said it was unclear if the club would play a practice match scheduled for Thursday against Estudiantes.

The incident took place at the complex Resort de Campo y Polo de Open Door, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of the capital. All of Argentina's clubs are in preseason training for the Clausura tournament, which begins next month.