Shay Given Apologizes for ‘Holocaust’ Remark on Celtic Manager

Former international goalkeeper Shay Given has publicly apologized after using the term “Holocaust” to describe Wilfried Nancy‘s short tenure as manager of Celtic. The comments, made during a segment on BBC’s *Final Score*, sparked considerable backlash and prompted Given to clarify his intentions.

During the broadcast, Given criticized Nancy’s performance, noting he lost six out of eight games before his departure. He described Nancy’s time in charge as “terrible from start to finish” and expressed regret over the end of Martin O’Neill‘s management. Given stated, “I don’t think they should have ended Martin’s short tenure at the start.”

Given elaborated on his views, suggesting O’Neill should have been allowed to manage the team leading up to the match against Hearts. He remarked, “Nancy took over that week and had an absolute Holocaust in that week and it was just a nightmare from then on.” The culmination of defeats, including a loss to Rangers, he noted, was “the final nail in the coffin.”

Following the broadcast, presenter Jason Mohammad issued an apology for the remarks. Later that evening, Given took to social media to express his regret, stating, “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.” He acknowledged his ignorance and vowed to become better educated on the matter.

Furthermore, Given pledged to donate his fee from the show to the Holocaust Educational Trust, emphasizing the importance of learning from this incident. “I am genuinely mortified and apologise unreservedly to everyone offended,” he added.

The reaction to Given’s comments has been mixed. Some social media users expressed outrage over the language used, while others noted his genuine remorse. One user tweeted, “Shay Given has shown genuine remorse for this error, but how in heaven’s name is this language still being used by people — and it’s usually men — in football? Dumfounding ignorance.”

Conversely, another supporter acknowledged his mistake but pointed out that it was unnecessary to continue drawing attention to the error, highlighting Given’s charitable donation as a positive step.

This incident brings to light the ongoing need for sensitivity in language, particularly in professional sports, where comments can have far-reaching implications. Given’s apology and commitment to education reflect a growing awareness surrounding the importance of respectful discourse in public settings.