COMEDIANS VICTORIOUS AT AMNESTY COMEDIANS VS CRITICS FOOTBALL MATCH FOR JAILED BURMESE COMIC
The comedians were over the moon at Amnesty International’s “comedians vs critics football match” today (Sunday) at Meadowbank stadium, leaving the critics sick as parrots.
The final scoreline was 3-2 to the comedians and both teams played their hearts out for jailed Burmese comedian Zarganar. .
Sensational goals from comedians Simon Brodkin, Danny McLaughlin and Doc Brown catapulted the comedians into an early lead. But a second half comeback from the critics, with goals from the List’s Peter Geoghegan and Nick Eardley from Fest magazine, teed it up for a nail-biting finish.
In a game billed as “such a grudge match they had to get Amnesty International to referee”, most players showed respect for each others’ human rights and Amnesty International’s referee Gianmaria Bandiera rarely had to blow his whistle. Amnesty refused to confirm reports that comedian Keith Farnam could be referred to the International Criminal Court for a challenge on one of the critics.
Comedians captain Rob Rouse accepted a trophy from Amnesty International Scotland Director John Watson and duly showered his team-mates in cheap champagne.
Rob Rouse said:
“Playing to help Amnesty’s campaign for Zarganar gave the comedians’ side that extra bit of fighting spirit to hold on to our lead. At the end of the day the result was never in doubt except for quite a large wobble in the last ten minutes.
“Everyone gave 110 per cent, Brian, and I’m proud of the way the boys conducted themselves today. I’d also like to give credit to our opponents but the game really was played in the spirit of true sportsmen and the style of under-14’s netball.
“Football really was the winner today.”
Both sides proudly wore the name of Zarganar on their shirts to highlight Amnesty’s campaign to secure his release from prison in Burma. Zarganar, one of Burma’s most famous comedians, was jailed for 35 years in 2008 after he criticised the government. Amnesty is asking people to take action to urge Zarganar’s release, at www.amnesty.org.uk/zarganar.
Amnesty’s famed Stand Up For Freedom comedy show returns to Edinburgh bigger than ever this year on 19 August at Venue 150, the EICC. Featuring John Bishop, Mark Watson, Fred Macaulay, 2009 award-winner Tim Key, Adam Hills, Josie Long, Dan Antopolski, Michael Mittermeier and Danielle Ward, it has to be one of the strongest line-ups of the Fringe, brought to Edinburgh by the producers of the Secret Policeman’s Ball – with more names still to be announced next week.
Comedians team: Rob Rouse (C), Johnny Sweet, Davey See, Doc Brown, Aiden Bishop, Joel Dommett, Eric Lampert, Ivo Graham, James Wrighton (Idiots of Ants), Keith Farnam, Lee Kern,Tiernan Douieb, Simon Brodkin, Tom Rosenthal, Danny McLaughlin.
Critics team: Brian Logan (Guardian),Julian Hall (Independent),Tim Arthur (Time Out),Gary Flockhart (Edinburgh Evening News),Edd McCracken (C) (Sunday Herald), Phil Miller (Sunday Herald),Jay Richardson (Scotsman),Lyle Brennan (Fest),Ed Ballard (Fest),Evan Beswick (Fest),Peter Geoghegan (The List), Harry Deansway, Nick Eardley (check- Fest).
The match was jointly organised by Amnesty International and Fest magazine. More info at www.amnesty.org.uk/edfest
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