英语文摘：England football shadowed by racism disputes after two stars being charged

LONDON, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Racism has recently become the headlines of sports news pages in England as two iconic footballers of the Premier League John Terry and Luis Suarez were both accused for racially abusing others.

Terry, the 31-year-old Chelsea and England captain, was charged to have offended Queens Park Rangers player Anton Ferdinand with racist language in a league clash on October 23.

According to BBC, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Terry was accused of a racially aggravated public order offence. The Chelsea leading defender is due before West London Magistrates' Court on February 1.

The prosecution to England captain just came one day after Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was handed an eight-match ban and a fine of 40,000 pounds by Football Association.

The 24-year-old Uruguayan was found guilty by using "insulting words" to Manchester United's defender Patrice Evra during two club's league match on October 15.

Having denied the charge, Suarez had 14 days to appeal against the punishment.

On Wednesday night, Liverpool players issued the joint statement in support of Suarez in the club's official website.

"Luis Suarez is our teammate and our friend and as a group of players we are shocked and angered that he has been found guilty by the FA," said the Reds players.

"We totally support Luis and we want the world to know that. We know he is not racist."

"We will continue to support Luis through this difficult period, and as a popular and respected friend of all his teammates, he will not walk alone," the statement ended in the lyrics of Livepool's team song "You will never walk alone".

Similar to Livepool's response, Chelsea also showed its support to Terry in a statement tonight.

"John has made it clear he denies the charge and is determined to do all he can to prove his innocence," said the club in its web.

"Chelsea FC has always been fully supportive of John in this matter and there is no question that we will continue to be so." it added.