Ex-Iraq coach dies BAGHDAD: Former Iraqi national soccer coach Emmanuel Baba Dawud, lauded as one of the country’s greatest sporting figures, has died. Dawud, known as the Sheikh of Iraqi coaches, died on Wednesday night of complications from diabetes, said medical officials at Azadi hospital in Dohuk. The striker was known for his attacking style, scoring the nation’s first goal in the 1957 Pan Arab Games. Named coach of the national team in 1978, Dawud, a Christian, led Iraq to Olympic appearances under Saddam Hussein’s rule in 1984 and 1988. — AFP

Alex ruled out RIO DE JANEIRO: Chelsea centre-back Alex will miss Brazil’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup to undergo surgery on a hernia. Brazil coach Dunga will announce a replacement for Alex ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, against Uruguay at Montevideo on June 6 and Paraguay at Recife four days later. After 12 rounds of matches, Paraguay top the South American pool with 23 points while Brazil are on 21, one point ahead of Chile, with Argentina in fourth on 19 and Uruguay fifth a further two points adrift. — AFP

ICC meet postponed KARACHI: Cricket’s world governing body, ICC has postponed a meeting with Pakistan over its decision to strip the country of its World Cup 2011 matches, a Pakistan official said on Thursday. The meeting convened by ICC was to be held in Dubai on June 3 and would now be held in London on June 15, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said. — AFP