TV football commentator Les Murray has publicly apologised to Socceroos' captain Lucas Neill over his claims that Neill urged the national team to ignore coach Pim Verbeek's game plan moments before taking to the World Cup pitch for the first time last year.

Neill was outraged by the comments in Murray's new book - The World Game - and denied the claims, threatening to sue.

Murray said he has since received further information which shows his comments were incorrect and has apologised.