Shay Given Issues Apology Following Controversial BBC Final Score Comments

Incident Sparks Widespread Criticism

Former Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Shay Given has apologised for comments in which he used the phrase “an absolute Holocaust” to describe Wilfried Nancy’s time in charge of Celtic. The incident occurred on Saturday, 10 January 2026, during BBC’s Final Score show, when Given was reflecting on Nancy’s short stint at Celtic in which he lost six out of eight games before being sacked.

Swift Response from Broadcaster and Pundit

Final Score presenter Jason Mohammad apologised later in the show for the “inappropriate language” used. The 49-year-old former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper quickly took to social media to address the controversy. Given’s statement on social media 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.”

Significant Gesture of Contrition

Given stated he is “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 has sparked negative responses on social media from fans. The former goalkeeper, who began his career at Celtic and went on to become one of the Premier League’s most respected keepers, has expressed his commitment to education and understanding following the incident.

Context and Significance

The controversy highlights the importance of responsible language in sports broadcasting, particularly when discussing sensitive historical terms. An estimated six million Jews died during The Holocaust, which was carried out by Nazi Germany during the Second World War between 1939 and 1945. This incident serves as a reminder to all media professionals about the weight of their words and the need for thoughtful communication, especially in live broadcasting environments where mistakes can have immediate and far-reaching consequences.