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Aussie soccer broadcasting pioneer Les Murray dies aged 71

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.

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.

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