Everton: Dele Alli's Mother Speaks up After Footballer Reveals Molestation at Age 6 by Her Friend

Dele Alli bared himself open in an interview with Gary Neville, including the time he was molested by her biological mother's friend when he was only six years old.

The mother has resurfaced decades after they parted ways and another family adopted Alli.

Alli's mother, Denise, shared that she has been crying since her son's revelation and had no idea it happened while Dele was under her care.

"I had no idea he'd been molested," she told The Sun UK.

"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."

The former Tottenham Hotspur shared that the molestation was just the start of his personal and mental problems, including consuming drugs at a young age.

"I was sent to Africa to learn discipline, and then I was sent back," he told The Overlap.

"At seven, I started smoking, eight I started dealing drugs."

Good thing for him, he said; a good family adopted him. However, things went awry again after his struggles as a professional footballer.

Impact of Alli's interview

Dele Alli's interview opened up more conversation on players' mental health problems. The Professional Footballers' Association is being called on to attend to players' well-being and mental health needs.

The Sun reported that many players turn to prescription drugs, particularly painkillers and sleeping tablets, to accommodate the demands of their job.