BBC APOLOGISES AFTER SHAY GIVEN USES 'HOLOCAUST' TO DESCRIBE CELTIC RESULTS
The BBC was forced to apologise on air after former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given described Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic reign as “an absolute holocaust” on live television.
The 49-year-old’s comments came during Saturday’s Final Score programme on BBC One, prompting presenter Jason Mohammad to apologise for any offence caused.
During the broadcast, Mohammad asked Given: “What have you made of what’s gone on at Celtic, Wilfried Nancy going after the defeat against Rangers, awful in the second half?”
In response to the question, that came on the day Celtic beat Dundee United 4-0, Given replied: “Nancy was terrible from start to finish. I don’t think they should have ended Martin’s [O’Neill’s] short tenure at the start. It was the week leading up to the Hearts game, top-of-the-league clash, then Roma in the Europa League and St Mirren in the League Cup final. I thought Martin should have been given that week at least. Nancy took over that week and had an absolute holocaust in that week and it was just a nightmare from then on – the defeats and [the loss to] Rangers last weekend was the final straw, final nail in the coffin.”
Later in the broadcast, Mohammad said: “A little earlier you may have heard some inappropriate language so we would like to apologise for any offence caused.”
Given now works as a pundit, but was best known for his time as goalkeeper at Newcastle United, as well playing for Aston Villa and Manchester City in his prime. The 134-cap Republic of Ireland international, however, began his youth career at Celtic.
He later posted his own apology on social media, saying: “On live television this afternoon, I used a word that I didn’t fully understand the meaning of, and certainly won’t ever use again.
“We all have areas of ignorance in our knowledge, and I hope to use this as an opportunity to become better educated going forward.
“I am genuinely mortified and apologise unreservedly to everyone offended, and will be donating my fee from today’s show to the Holocaust Education Trust.”
Recommended
If the BBC had a bad year, TNT Sport had an out-and-out disaster
2026-01-10T19:30:38Z