Shay Given issues apology following Celtic 'Holocaust' remark
Former international goalkeeper Shay Given has issued an apology after he branded Celtic’s Wilfriend Nancy’s time in charge as ‘an absolute Holocaust.’
The comments were made on BBC’s Final Score show, where the soccer star was discussing the football manager’s short-lived time at Celtic, where he lost six out of eight games before he got the boot.
Speaking to presenter Jason Mohammad, Given noted that Nancy was ‘terrible from start to finish’ and Martin O’Neill’s tenure shouldn’t have come to an end.
Former international goalkeeper Shay Given has issued an apology after he branded Celtic’s Wilfriend Nancy’s time in charge as ‘an absolute Holocust.’ (@RTEsport/X)
He said: ‘Nancy was terrible from start to finish. I don’t think they should have ended Martin’s short tenure at the start.’
He explained that he thought O’Neill should have been given the week leading up to the Hearts game and Europa League.
‘Nancy took over that week and had an absolute Holocaust in that week and it was just a nightmare from then on,’ Given said, ‘The defeats and Rangers last weekend was the final straw, the final nail in the coffin.’
He explained that he thought O’Neill should have been given the week leading up to the Hearts game and Europa League. Pic: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Presenter Jason later issued an apology in the show following the comments, with Given taking to social media on Saturday evening to make his own apology.
‘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 wrote.
‘We all have areas of ignorance in our knowledge, and I hope to use this as an opportunity to become better educated going forward.
Wilfried Nancy. Pic: WM Sport Media/Getty Images
‘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.’
The comment generated a huge reaction online, with many furious at Given, while others were more understanding.
One wrote: ‘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.’
Another responded: ‘Clearly a mistake by Shay Given, You, feeling the need to comment further serves no purpose other than to highlight his mistake further.
‘You make no mention of the fact that he is donating his fee to an appropriate charity. I’ll help you there by pointing that out.’
