THE BBC and Shay Given have apologised after the pundit described Wilfried Nancy’s one-month stay at Celtic as an “absolute Holocaust”.
Former Newcastle and Man City goalkeeper Given was live on air when comparing Nancy’s stint with the mass genocide of over six million Jewish people by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Speaking on BBC Sport’s Final Score during this weekend’s football action, Given was asked about Nancy’s Celtic reign.
He 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 Rangers last weekend was the final straw, final nail in the coffin.“
In response, show presenter Jason Mohammed said towards the end of the broadcast: “A little earlier you may have heard some inappropriate language so we would like to apologise for any offence caused.”
Mohammed did not comment on the choice of words at the time of the incident.
Given, a former Republic of Ireland international, is a regular pundit for the BBC and other TV stations.
He later put out an apology of his own, stating he was “genuinely mortified” and added he would be donating his fee to a Holocaust charity.
It read: “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 Educational Trust.”
Some football fans watching on picked up on the moment.
Writing on X, one user said: “RIP Shay Given career. Given has just said Celtic ‘had an absolute Holocaust’ on BBC Final Score.”
Another added: “Shay Given just apologise and withdraw what he said and just own it.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean to say Holocaust in reference to Celtic’s season.”
Nancy was fired earlier this week after a disastrous 33-days at Celtic Park.
The Frenchman was appointed as the permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers following O’Neill’s eight-game period as interim boss.
Nancy lost six of his own eight matches, though, winning just two.
He lost his first four and was beaten by Rangers last Sunday before being shown the exit door.
O’Neill has been called in again to save the season and won his first game back 4-0 against Dundee United on Saturday.
