Dele Alli’s mother claims she had “no idea” the midfielder had been assaulted as a kid until he agreed to an interview last week.
The Everton midfielder disclosed in an emotional interview with Gary Neville that he was assaulted by his mother’s friend when he was six years old.
Alli, who no longer contacts with his birth parents, moved up with Alan and Sally Hickford when he was 12 and refers to them as his adopted parents.
“I have not been able to stop crying since I heard my son describe the abuse he suffered as a child. I had no idea he’d been molested,” his blood mother told The UK Sun.
“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 I only hope I’ll have the chance to see him again.”