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Shay Given forced to respond after shocking ‘holocaust’ comment live on BBC

Home> News> Sport

Updated 11:22 11 Jan 2026 GMTPublished 11:16 11 Jan 2026 GMT

Shay Given forced to respond after shocking ‘holocaust’ comment live on BBC

The former Newcastle United star has since apologised

James Moorhouse

James Moorhouse

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Shay Given has responded after making a shocking 'holocaust' comment live on the BBC.

The former goalkeeper, who is widely regarded as one of the most decorated Irish players in the history of football, was appearing as a pundit on BBC's Final Score.

BBC Sport presenter Jason Mohammad posed a question to the Newcastle United legend about Wilfried Nancy, who was recently sacked by Scottish giants Celtic after just 39 days and eight matches in charge.

The Frenchman oversaw three victories and five losses during his tenure, including damaging defeats in the cup final against St Mirren and in the Old Firm derby against Rangers, and he will be remembered as perhaps the worst manager in the club's history.

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However, the BBC were forced to swiftly apologise after viewers were left shocked by Given's description of Nancy's torrid tenure.

Shay Given left viewers horrified with his recent comments live on air (Tom Dulat - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Shay Given left viewers horrified with his recent comments live on air (Tom Dulat - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Shay Given's 'Holocaust' comment

Mohammad had asked: "What have you made of what's gone on at Celtic, Wilfied Nancy going after the defeat against Rangers, awful in the second half?"

Given responded: "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."

He added: "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."

Manager Wilfried Nancy was sacked after Celtic's defeat to Rangers (WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Manager Wilfried Nancy was sacked after Celtic's defeat to Rangers (WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

While Mohammad immediately apologised for the inappropriate language, which appeared to make light of the six million European Jews that were murdered by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II, Given has since responded.

'I didn't fully understand the meaning'

He took to social media to apologise, suggesting that it was a word he 'didn't fully understand'.

He wrote: "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."

The former Newcastle United player has issued an apology for his choice of words (X/@No1shaygiven)
The former Newcastle United player has issued an apology for his choice of words (X/@No1shaygiven)

"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."

Given isn't the only former goalkeeper who's had trouble understanding the horrific crimes committed during the Second World War.

Welsh shot-stopper Wayne Hennessey was investigated by the FA after appearing to perform a Nazi salute back in 2019, to which his manager at the time, Roy Hodgson, replied that he was 'desperate' to learn more about the war and the Nazi party.

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Topics: BBC, Football

James Moorhouse
James Moorhouse

James is a NCTJ Gold Standard journalist covering a wide range of topics and news stories for LADbible. After two years in football writing, James switched to covering news with Newsquest in Cumbria, before joining the LAD team in 2025. In his spare time, James is a long-suffering Rochdale fan and loves reading, running and music. Contact him via [email protected]

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@JimmyMoorhouse

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