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WATCH: Dele Alli reveals he was sexually abused at age six

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WATCH: Dele Alli reveals he was sexually abused at age six
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In a deeply personal and heartfelt interview, Dele Alli has bravely opened up about his experience of being sexually abused at the age of six.

The 27-year-old footballer also shared his battle with addiction to sleeping tablets and his recent stint in a rehabilitation facility in the United States.

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After his last England appearance in 2019, Alli faced a difficult period at Tottenham Hotspur, leading to his transfer to Everton.

However, he has struggled to find his form and spent the previous season on loan at Besiktas.

Speaking with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Alli candidly discussed how his childhood trauma has had a profound impact on his recent struggles.

“There were a few incidents that can give you a brief understanding,” he said.

“At six, I was molested by my mum’s friend who was at the house a lot. My mum was an alcoholic.”

“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.”

Alli also shared that he sought treatment for addiction during the summer.

“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 realise 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 hid for a long time and I’m scared to talk about. 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.”

“Before when I’d stop, I’d still sometimes have the urge, but I’d maintain [being] sober for a period of time and then there’d always be a time where something would happen, I’d get the feelings back and I’d want to escape. I was taking a lot – I don’t want to talk about numbers, but it was definitely way too much.

“And there were some scary moments. The teams give you them for a reason – to sleep. I wasn’t taking them to sleep, I’d take them throughout the day, sometimes from 11am if I had the day off. I would never take them if I was playing, but I’d start early if I had the day off, just to escape from the reality.

“It started with a doctor giving them to me and then it turned into more than that. When you want something, you’ll find a way. At the start, it was one to sleep – and, for most people, that’s fine. You can handle that, that’s all you need. But, for me, it was fixing something else that I didn’t know I could fix.”

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Newcastle 1-0 Man City: Isak scores late winner as City crash out of Carabao cup

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Newcastle 1-0 Man City: Isak scores late winner as City crash out of Carabao cup
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Newcastle United, fielding a largely second-string squad, pulled off a remarkable comeback to defeat a significantly altered Manchester City side in the Carabao Cup, with Alexander Isak scoring the winning goal.

Newcastle made ten changes from their previous match, which they won 8-0 against Sheffield United. The first half was dominated by Manchester City, but Newcastle improved dramatically after halftime, following substitutions of Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon. Isak scored the decisive goal after a brilliant play by Joelinton.

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Eddie Howe’s team had a passive first half, as City controlled possession. Julian Alvarez had two decent chances but couldn’t convert for City.

Pep Guardiola made seven changes to the City lineup, including giving young midfielder Oscar Bobb his first start. City displayed their characteristic patient style but couldn’t respond to Newcastle’s second-half energy and determination.

This victory means Newcastle will face the team that defeated them in last year’s final in the fourth round.

The only downside for Newcastle was Isak’s injury, as they prepare for a Champions League match against Paris St-Germain and a league fixture against Burnley.

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‘Emile is clear’ – Arteta speaks out as Smith Rowe nears 500 days without Arsenal start

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‘Emile is clear’ – Arteta speaks out as Smith Rowe nears 500 days without Arsenal start
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Mikel Arteta, Arsenal‘s manager, spoke to reporters ahead of Wednesday’s upcoming match and discussed Emile Smith Rowe’s popularity within the team. Arteta emphasized the team’s affection for Smith Rowe and how much they value him.

Arteta acknowledged that while being popular and well-liked by the team is important, it’s equally crucial for a player to start games and maintain consistency once they are on the pitch. He also highlighted the significance of staying fit to be a consistent presence in the starting lineup.

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Mikel Arteta said: “Emile Smith Rowe is incredibly popular. We all love him, it’s no different what the people feel and what we feel about him.

“But one thing is to be there, the other one is to start the games and then once you start, you are consistent to stay there. You have to stay fit as well. Obviously, we speak with our players.

“We always try to explain the reason why we make certain decisions, but Emile is clear on what he needs to do — which is performing on the pitch and giving the best to win games for us.”

Emile Smith Rowe is anticipated to make a return to Arsenal’s starting lineup when the team faces Brentford in the EFL Cup third round match on Wednesday.

This could mark Smith Rowe’s first start for Arsenal in nearly 499 days, with his last competitive start for the club dating back to May 16, 2022.

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JUST IN! Vet center sue Chelsea’s £2bn stadium redevelopment (Details)

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JUST IN! Vet center sue Chelsea's £2bn stadium redevelopment (Details)
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Military veterans have reportedly taken legal action to halt Chelsea’s £2 billion redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.

The club’s plans got approval in July after offering £50 million for the site adjacent to Stamford Bridge, where approximately 100 military veterans and their widows reside.

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The veterans, angered by the prospect of being displaced, have escalated their efforts to thwart the sale.

They have sought an injunction to prevent the Stoll Charity trustees, who oversee the apartment block, from selling the property to Chelsea.

The veterans’ argument centers on how the sale would negatively impact the local community and harm residents, including vulnerable individuals who have served their country.

One resident, Matthew Bignell, 36, expressed his support for the injunction and his intention to stay in his home to show solidarity with fellow tenants.

Bignell stated that residents are prepared to face eviction rather than leave voluntarily.

This legal action by veterans is a setback for Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, who envisioned a significant stadium redevelopment that would increase capacity from 42,000 to 55,000.

It is another challenge following the club’s previous proposal to move to Battersea Power Station in 2012, which faced fan opposition and ultimately collapsed.

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