Former Premier League footballer Shay Given has issued a public apology after using the term "Holocaust" in a highly inappropriate context during a live television broadcast.
Live TV Comment Sparks Immediate Backlash
The incident occurred on Saturday, 11 January 2026, during the BBC's Final Score programme. The retired Newcastle and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper was asked for his analysis of Celtic's poor run of form under recently sacked manager Wilfried Nancy.
In his response, Given described Nancy's brief tenure at Celtic Park, which lasted just 33 days after six defeats in eight games, as an "absolute Holocaust". The comment was broadcast live, prompting swift criticism from viewers and the show's production team.
Unreserved Apology and Charitable Donation
Shay Given moved quickly to address the severe misstep. He posted a statement on the social media platform X, expressing profound regret for his choice of words.
"On live television this afternoon, I used a word that I didn't fully understand the meaning of, and I certainly wouldn't use again," Given wrote. He acknowledged gaps in his knowledge, stating, "We all have areas of ignorance in our knowledge, and I hope to use this as an opportunity to become better educated going forward."
The former goalkeeper emphasised that he was "genuinely mortified" and apologised "unreservedly to everyone offended." As a tangible act of contrition, he confirmed he would be donating his entire fee from the show to the Holocaust Educational Trust.
Broadcaster Response and Football Context
The presenter of Final Score, Jason Mohammad, also addressed the incident on air later in the show, apologising for the "inappropriate language" used during the broadcast.
The remark referenced one of history's darkest chapters, where an estimated six million Jews were systematically murdered by Nazi Germany during the Second World War.
In related football news, Martin O'Neill, who was Celtic's interim boss before Nancy's appointment, has now taken charge for a second time this season. His return was marked with a 4-0 victory over Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.
