Overview
- Murphy first told the story during the Norway v Ivory Coast World Cup match in Dallas on June 30 when he said his cat Bob jumped into the back of a Royal Mail van and went missing.
- He later said Bob came back several weeks later in a 'feral' state and the family could not reintegrate him into the home.
- In his most recent on-air update during the Spain v Portugal coverage on July 6–7 Murphy said Bob began 'bullying' his sister Mary, the family 'gave him the red card' and sent him to relatives in Preston where he later died.
- Murphy defended the rehoming decision after some viewers complained, and co-commentator Steve Bower acknowledged those complaints on air.
- The episode shows how short, unscripted pundit anecdotes can go viral and prompt wider debate about broadcaster tone and animal welfare while briefly overshadowing match coverage.