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DISGUSTING Chelsea supporters trolled Rio Ferdinand on Twitter after his wife Rebecca Ellison lost her battle with cancer. The footballer announced on Saturday that his 34-year-old wife had “slipped away” on Friday evening at a hospital in London following a short battle with the illness.

Moments later, abusive messages began to appear on the social networking site.

One John Terry supporter claimed Ms Ellison’s death was “karma” for Ferdinand, while another callously gloated it was “better than winning the Premier League”.

The vile messages prompted an online backlash by disgusted footballing fans from all clubs, who branded their behaviour “awful” and threatened to report the offending users.

One of the offending tweets claimed Rebecca’s death had been payback for Ferdinand’s actions over Chelsea Captain John Terry’s race row with his brother, Anton.

The sick tweet even received four “retweets” on the social networking site, and was “favourited” twice.

Another supporter of the Chelsea captain added: “This is what happens when you go against the mighty John Terry Ole Ole Ole”, according to The Sun.

Meanwhile, a Chelsea fan who dedicates his account to posting abuse about other teams wrote: “Rio’s wife dying is better than winning the Premier League.”

His account has since been suspended, but the tweet is still visible as it was shared by others.

Currently, offenders who subject their victims to sexually offensive, verbally abusive or threatening material on the internet can only be prosecuted in magistrates’ courts under the Malicious Communications Act, which carries a maximum prison sentence of six months.

Rebecca, mother to the couple’s three children, had been diagnosed with breast cancer last year and appeared to be clear of the disease. But a scan earlier this year revealed the breast cancer had returned and spread to her bones.

Her private struggle against the illness was in keeping with the low profile she maintained throughout her husband’s career, which has been marred by claims of off-field excesses, affairs, and an eight-month ban in 2003 for missing a drugs test.

In a statement on the QPR website on Saturday, Rio Ferdinand described Ellison as his “soul mate”.

He said: “Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children.

“She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.”

In the hours after news of Rebecca’s death emerged, dozens of celebrities, including a number of Ferdinand’s current and former teammates shared their condolences with the defender.

David Beckham, who played alongside Ferdinand for Manchester United and England, said his and his wife Victoria’s thoughts were with the Queens Park Rangers defender’s family.

Match of the Day presenter Lineker tweeted: “Thoughts are with Rio Ferdinand and his family. How dreadfully sad.”

Rooney said: “Devastated to hear about Rebecca. My prayers are with Rio and his family at this sad time.”

His wife Coleen wrote: “Can’t believe I am actually writing this, absolutely devastated to hear the news about Rebecca. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rio, their 3 beautiful children and family at this sad time.”

On Sunday, Chelsea captain John Terry, who was previously embroiled in a race row with Ferdinand, also expressed his sympathies.

The defender played alongside Ferdinand in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England team, but the pair developed a strained relationship following Terry’s four-match ban by the FA after allegations that he racially abused Ferdinand’s brother, Anton.

Speaking after Chelsea’s win over Crystal Palace, Terry said: “I would like, on behalf of myself and everyone at Chelsea, to send our condolences to Rio Ferdinand and his family.All at Chelsea send our heartfelt condolences to Rio and his family, as we did upon first hearing the devastatingly sad news.”

The messages also prompted a backlash from the Twitter community, who came out in defence of Ferdinand and his late wife.

One posted on the social networking site: “People making jokes about Rio Ferdinand and his wife is awful.”

Another added: “If anyone makes jokes about Rebecca Ferdinand you are literally the lowest of the low.”

A number of users threatened to report the account owners to Twitter.

One, Kevin Sangwine, said: “If I see any Rio Ferdinand jokes on here, you will be unfollowed and reported. Surely, nobody will stoop so low. #RIPRebecca.” — Daily Mail