Dele Alli's biological mother has responded to her son's extremely emotional interview, saying she had no idea the football star was molested as a child.
The Everton midfielder bravely opened up about his upbringing, revealing he was molested at the age of six by his mother's friend.
Speaking on 'The Overlap', he said: "At six I was molested by my mum's friend who was at the house a lot, my mum was an alcoholic.
"So that happened at six. I was sent to Africa to learn discipline, and then I was sent back. Seven I started smoking, eight I started dealing drugs."
Advert
The football community have backed the 27-year-old, with Premier League stars sending him messages of support.
The former Tottenham man's mother has now responded to her son's revelations that he was sexually abused as a child by one of her friends.
Denise insists she had no idea about her son's traumatic upbringing and says she hasn't been able to stop crying since he gave the interview.
"I have not been able to stop crying since I heard my son describe the abuse he suffered as a child," she told The Sun.
"I had no idea he’d been molested."
She added: "I’m so sorry. It breaks my heart to think that someone I allowed into my house might have betrayed my trust in the worst possible way.
"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."
At the age of 12, Alli was adopted. He then went onto join Milton Keynes Dons' youth academy, where he graduated to the first team.
He earned himself a move to Spurs, where he enjoyed the best spell of his professional career. He's back at Everton following a loan spell at Besiktas.
Nasir Jabbar