I was sent to Africa to learn discipline, suffered sexual abuse at age six – Dele Alli

Former Tottenham and Three Lions midfielder Dele Alli has recounted his ordeal while growing up as a child. The 27 years old during ”The Overlap” programme with Gary Neville revealed his struggles from age 6 til 12 when he finally was adopted by a great family who helped him in his football career. 

“At six, I was molested,” the Everton midfielder told Gary Neville on The Overlap.

“I was sent to Africa to learn discipline. Then I was sent back. Seven, I started smoking. Eight I started dealing drugs, selling drugs.

An older person told me they wouldn’t stop a kid, so I’d ride around with my football and then underneath I’d have the drugs.

“Eleven, I was hung off a bridge by a guy from the next estate. At 12, I was adopted. And from then, I was adopted by an amazing family, I couldn’t have asked for better people to do what they’ve done for me… If God created people, it was them. They are amazing and have helped me a lot.”

“I got addicted to sleeping tablets, and it’s probably not a problem only I have. I think it’s something that’s going around more than people realize in football.”

The England international, who spent last season on loan at Besiktas, added, “Now is probably the right time to tell people. It’s tough to talk about it as it’s quite recent and something I’ve hidden for a long time, and I’m scared to talk about it. When I came back from Turkey, I came back and found out I needed an operation.

“I was in a bad place mentally. I decided to go to a modern rehab facility that deals with addiction and mental health and trauma. I felt it was time for me. You can’t be told to go there, you have to make the decision yourself.

“I was in a bad cycle. I was relying on things that were doing me harm. I was waking up every day, winning the fight going into training every day smiling – willing to show I was happy. Inside, I was losing the battle and it was time to change. When I was told I needed surgery I could feel the feelings I had when the cycle began.

“Everton were amazing and supported me. I will be grateful to them forever. For them to be so honest and understanding, I couldn’t ask for anything more during a time I was making the biggest decision of my life – doing something I was scared to do. I’m happy I’ve done it.”