Shay Given apologises for 'Holocaust' remark on Final Score

James Cox

Former Republic of Ireland international Shay Given has apologised after he used the term 'Holocaust' on a BBC programme while discussing Celtic's form.

He referred to Wilfried Nancy's first week in charge of the Scottish giants as "an absolute Holocaust". 

Given was working as a pundit on BBC's Final Score, and the BBC has also issued an apology.

He said: "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."

Presenter Jason Mohammad did not react at the time, but later apologised for Given's remark.

He said: "A little earlier you may have heard some inappropriate language so we would like to apologise for any offence caused."

In an apology on social media, Given 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.

"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 Holocaust was a genocide committed by Nazi Germany during the Second World War, it claimed the lives of an estimated six million Jewish people.