Terry hits back at Labour MP Chris Bryant over criticism of Abramovich tribute

John Terry has fired back at Chris Bryant after being criticised by the Labour MP for paying tribute to outgoing Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Abramovich dropped a major bombshell on Wednesday night by sensationally announcing he has put the Blues up for sale amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

With questions being raised in UK parliament about imposing sanctions on the Russian oligarch due to his links with Vladimir Putin, he is now looking to sell his shares in Stamford Bridge as part of a rapid offload of his London assets.

Following the news that Abramovich, who has won five Premier League titles, as many FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League in his 19-year reign as Chelsea owner, will be leaving Stamford Bridge, Terry took to Twitter to express his admiration for him this week.

Along with a photo of the pair together, the former Blues captain wrote: 'The best' along with three blue love heart emojis.

Terry came under serious scrutiny for the post amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, including from Labour MP Bryant, who urged him to delete his tribute to Abramovich.

Bryant replied on Twitter: 'I think @JohnTerry26 you should take this down ASAP. The people of Ukraine are being bombed, shelled and murdered while you celebrate Abramovich.'

He then targeted the ex-England skipper in parliament, saying in front of MPs: 'I do not know if you've seen this but he [Terry] has posted a photo with Abramovich who is one of Putin's crony's. What will the people of Ukraine think of the former England football captain?'

However, Terry has responded to Bryant's criticism by pointing to his decision to support Britain's participation in the 2003 Iraq war and his role in the 2009 scandal over MPs' expenses.

One user first wrote to Terry: 'I don't know if the BritishMP wants John Terry to erase his history with @ChelseaFC makes sense to anyone really baffles me.

'Roman Abramovich will forever be in the history of Chelsea FC & no one can change it. We thank you the great ROMAN with love'.

Terry then replied: '100% mate *love heart emoji* The same MP that claimed fortunes in expenses of the tax payers money. Also the same MP who voted that we invade Iraq *clown emoji*.'

Bryant was one of several MPs who voted for Britain's participation in the Iraq war in 2003, the motives for which eventually proved unjustified.

The 60-year-old also claimed over £90,000 in expenses over the five years leading up to the 2009 MPs' expenses scandal, including mortgage interest expenses that rose from £7,800 to £12,000 per year.

Chelsea legend Pat Nevin coincides with Bryant's stance on Abramovich, nevertheless, telling the club's supporters that mourning needs to be over Ukraine rather than his exit.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Nevin hit out at their first statements and said fans need to 'put the violins away'.

'The first couple of statements Chelsea released were limp and that is being kind, this one is stronger and close to doing the right thing,' he said.

'Chelsea fans will be concerned about the club going forward. The club will survive and let's get this into perspective. It is a football club, it is only a game, there are bigger fish to fry right now.

'Chelsea might be lucky and get a wealthy owner. Have a look at what has happened to Barca and Real Madrid, teams go through ups and down, Real fans understand that.

'Put away the violins because the tears need to be about somewhere else in the world.

'It would be good if the club was sold for a profit so it could help the Ukrainian people. The club has been running on getting things back on an even keel for a few years because Roman Abramovich knew all along he wasn't going to last forever.'