Aussie soccer broadcasting pioneer Les Murray dies aged 71
In this July 12, 2009 photo released by Australian broadcaster SBS, veteran Australian football broadcaster Les Murray poses for a photo in Sydney, Australia. Murray, one of the men who decided to suspend leading FIFA executives Jack Warner and Mohamed bin Hammam says while soccer's world governing body has been tainted, the game will overcome bribery and corruption issues. Murray, one of the 13 members of FIFA's independent Ethics Committee, told The Associated Press on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, that FIFA is still badly in need of reform to rebuild its integrity. (AP Photo/SBS Television) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
SBS has announced pioneering soccer broadcaster Les Murray passed away this morning following an illness, aged 71.
Murray emigrated from Hungary in 1957 and became SBS’ face of soccer as the commentator for the 1986 World Cup. He retired from broadcasting in 2014 after spending 34 years at the network where he became head of sports coverage.
SBS football broadcaster Les Murray has died at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness. Tributes tonight on SBS World News at 6.30pm pic.twitter.com/nrChB1lVYG
— SBS News (@SBSNews) July 31, 2017
Originally born László Ürge, Murray became a journalist in 1971 and anglicised his name after joining Ten as a commentator in 1977. He joined SBS three years later as a Hungarian translator and later joined the network’s sports commentary team.
Murray coined the phrase ‘The World Game’ which the network adopted for its soccer coverage. In 2006 he won an Order of Australia for his services to the game.
God Bless Les
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JuHhnVQM4I
Les is No More.
RIP