Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten have paid tribute to much-loved soccer broadcaster Les Murray in federal parliament, describing the SBS doyen as a true champion of the beautiful game.
Murray died last Monday, aged 71, after a long illness following a 35-year career broadcasting the world game.
"The fact that Australians are speaking less about soccer and more about football is a testament to Mr Football's persuasiveness and achievements," Mr Turnbull told MPs on Wednesday.
"We can safely say that Les Murray turned Australian hearts to football."
Mr Shorten said Murray always maintained he put football on television not to teach Australians about football, but to teach them about the world.
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"In fact, that's what Les did all his life," the opposition leader said.
"Not just a commentator and a champion for the round ball game, but also as a fearless, unstinting advocate of multicultural Australia."
Murray emigrated from Hungary as a child before rising to become the public face of the football in Australia.
In later life, Murray switched his advocacy to refugees and multiculturalism.
Guests as his state funeral next Monday are being encouraged to wear white to the service "in honour of a multicultural world".
