16 July 2023 , 23:17
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Dele Alli's biological mother has revealed she has "not stopped crying" since her son's emotional interview was aired.
In the interview Dele made his tragic story public for the first team, alleging he had been molested at the age of six, sent to Africa to "learn discipline" and was put up for adoption. He recently underwent treatment for a sleeping pill addiction at a rehab centre.
The former Tottenham star has received a wave of support from the football world since the publication of the interview. In it he also revealed that he no longer has contact with his biological parents.
Denise, his biological mother, has now spoken of her upset since watching Dele's interview. And she also revealed her sadness at having lost contact with her son after the incidents in his childhood.
She told The Sun: “I have not been able to stop crying since I heard my son describe the abuse he suffered as a child. I cannot put into words how upset I am I no longer have contact with my son — and only hope I’ll have the chance to see him again.”
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Dele was interviewed by Manchester United legend Gary Neville, who coached the midfielder for England. Speaking to Neville on The Overlap, an emotional Dele said: "It is something I haven't really spoken about. There were a few instances. At six, I was molested."
Neville was reduced to tears and comforted the midfielder, assuring him: "You don't need to be sorry. I feel the fact you are now opening up will make people realise this is something that has been stored inside you, caged, for 15-20 years."
Alli opened up in an interview with Gary Neville (The Overlap)Dele revealed his relationship with his mother broke down after he was adopted. His childhood included starting to smoke at the age of seven and selling drugs a year later.
"I used to speak to my mum to try and help her and when I was around 18 they went to the newspaper and started accusing my adopted family of taking advantage of me," he added.
"They would make me go and see her and have a relationship with her. That spoke volumes for the kind of people they are. After that, I felt so betrayed and let down and couldn't keep a relationship with them."
Dele was adopted at the age of 12, before breaking into the MK Dons first team at 16, going on to become an England international. And he had nothing but praise for his adoptive family.
"I was adopted by an amazing family and I couldn't have asked for better people. If God created people, it was them. They were amazing. They have helped me a lot," Dele added.
"When I started living with them, it was hard for me to really open up because I felt within myself, it was easy for them to get rid of me. I tried to be the best kid I could be for those few years. I started playing in the first team at 16 and it took off from there."
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