Shay Given Apologizes for Holocaust Comment on BBC's Final Score
Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given has issued an unreserved apology for his insensitive remarks about Wilfried Nancy's brief tenure as Celtic manager. During a live broadcast on BBC's Final Score, Given described Nancy's 33-day reign as an 'absolute Holocaust', a comment that has since sparked widespread criticism.
Given, 49, was invited to share his thoughts on Nancy's sacking, which occurred after just eight games and 33 days in charge of the Scottish champions. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Given acknowledged the insensitivity of his choice of words, explaining that he had used a term he did not fully comprehend and would never use again.
He continued, "We all have gaps in our knowledge, and I hope this incident serves as a learning opportunity for me to become more educated. I am genuinely mortified and offer my sincere apologies to anyone who felt offended. As a gesture of goodwill, I will be donating my fee from today's show to the Holocaust Educational Trust."
The presenter of Final Score, Jason Mohammad, also apologized on air for the 'inappropriate language' used during the segment. Nancy, a 48-year-old Frenchman, was dismissed from his role last week following Celtic's 3-1 defeat to Rangers, marking his sixth loss in eight games as manager. His 33-day stint as Celtic boss is the shortest in the club's history.
The Holocaust, a tragic event orchestrated by Nazi Germany during World War II, resulted in the deaths of approximately six million Jews. Given's comments have sparked a necessary conversation about the importance of sensitivity and awareness in sports commentary, especially when discussing such a devastating historical event.
