Football Federation Australia boss Ben Buckley is pleased commentator Les Murray has apologised and backed down from claims Socceroos’ captain Lucas Neill led a player revolt against former coach Pim Verbeek at the World Cup.
Murray claimed in his new book, The World Game, that Neill told the team to ignore Verbeek’s game plan just before taking the field in their opening 4-0 loss to Germany at the 2010 World Cup.
The SBS television commentator backed down from the claims on Wednesday and Neill accepted the apology, saying he would not proceed with legal action.
Buckley backed Neill’s denial of the claims which he said showed a lack of respect for the Australian skipper.
“I’m very pleased that he (Murray) did (apologise). Clearly, the comments and the statements that were made in the book were inaccurate,” Buckley said.
“There was no substance to it and I’m glad that an amicable solution has been reached.
“Lucas has been an outstanding leader of the Socceroos and deserves to be treated accordingly.”
Murray last week stuck by his claims but said he had not intended to paint Neill in a bad light.
Neill’s denial of leading a player revolt was also supported by Socceroos’ teammates Craig Moore, Luke Wilkshire and Mile Jedinack.
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