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    Dillian Whyte breaks silence on failed drugs test after Anthony Joshua fight axed as frontrunner replacement emerges

    DILLIAN WHYTE insists he’s no drug cheat after a THIRD career-failed test scuppered his rematch with Anthony Joshua.The Brixton Body Snatcher’s domestic dust-up with his long-time rival was cancelled on Saturday after it emerged that a voluntary drugs test had come back positive.
    Dillian Whyte’s rematch with Anthony Joshua was axed this weekendCredit: REUTERS
    A career-third failed drug test for the Brixton Body Snatcher scuppered the fightCredit: GETTY
    The former WBC heavyweight title challenger insists he didn’t intentionally dopeCredit: GETTY
    Whyte denied intentionally doping in a social media statementCredit: TWITTER@DILLIANWHYTE
    The substance Whyte, 35, tested positive for has not yet been released.
    But the former WBC heavyweight title challenger is adamant he didn’t intentionally ingest any performance enhancers to boost his chances of avenging his 2015 defeat to AJ.
    He said in a statement: “I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me.
    “I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it.
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    “I have also just seen the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.
    “I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not take the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life.
    “I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.”
    Whyte stumped up a hefty amount of cash to have VADA randomly test him during the final weeks of his training camp.
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    And he’s adamant he wouldn’t look to try to get an extra edge with one of the most stringent anti-doping organisations hot on his heels.
    He said: “I insisted on 24/7 VADA testing for this fight, as I have done voluntarily and at my own expense for all my fights for many, many years.”
    Brit fan favourite Whyte has now failed three drug tests in his career.
    He served a two-year suspension for his first anti-doping violation in 2012 but was cleared of the second in 2019 – which occurred ahead of his interim WBC title fight with Oscar Rivas.
    UKAD cleared Whyte of intentionally doping due to “extremely low” levels of anabolic steroid Dianabol discovered in his system.
    And he’s confident of being exonerated of any wrongdoing in this latest drugs saga.
    He said: “This is not the first time that I have been reported as having an adverse finding for a substance which I have not taken, and as I did last time, I will again prove that I am completely innocent.
    “In the meantime, all I can do is express my extreme disappointment to boxing fans, who will miss out on what was sure to be a great event.”
    Read More on The Sun
    Matchroom Boxing are working hard to find a short-notice replacement for Whyte in order to keep AJ active.
    SunSport understands Gerald Washington – who is slated to face Derek Chisora on the undercard of the event – is the frontrunner to replace Whyte.
    Dillian Whyte has vowed to clear his nameCredit: THE SUN More

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    Eddie Hearn in desperate scramble for Anthony Joshua opponent after Whyte FAILS drugs test as frontrunner emerges

    ANTHONY JOSHUA could still fight next weekend – despite his rematch with Dillian Whyte falling through.The Watford warrior’s second professional showdown with his long-time rival was axed today due to a failed drug test for the Brixton bad boy.
    Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Dillian Whyte fell through this weekendCredit: REUTERS
    A failed drug test for Whyte scuppered the eagerly-anticipated grudge matchCredit: PA
    Eddie Hearn is frantically trying to find a short-notice replacement for WhyteCredit: Alamy
    Whyte, 35, failed voluntary drug tests but the substance or substances found in his system has yet to be revealed.
    Matchroom Boxing are eager for their poster boy to stay active ahead of a Saudi showdown with Deontay Wilder next year.
    And SunSport understands they’re frantically trying to find a last-minute replacement for Whyte – whose career is well and truly up in the air following a third career-failed drug test.
    American Gerald Washington is the current frontrunner to win the lucrative AJ sweepstakes.
    The tall and rangy Yank – who is currently slated to fight Brit Derek Chisora on the undercard – would be the ideal replacement.
    The 41-year-old veteran is perfectly capable of replicating The Bronze Bomber’s hard-hitting style as he’s part of his team.
    Brit fan favourite Chisora is highly unlikely to be drafted in as he’s a long-time pal of Joshua’s.
    Joshua’s third showdown with Whyte – who he first locked horns with as a fresh-faced amateur in 2009 – was supposed to be a pay-per-view offering on DAZN.
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    But it’s understood the international broadcaster will make any last-minute fight- should one come to fruition – available to their regular subscribers.
    Neither Joshua nor Whyte have commented on the collapse of their eagerly-anticipated rematch.
    But AJ promoter Eddie Hearn has twice taken to Twitter since the news broke.
    In response to a fan sharing a video of him dropping an F-bomb, he tweeted: “This one made me smile.
    American Gerald Washington is the frontrunner to replace WhyteCredit: GETTY
    “Time to go to work!”
    Joshua, 33, returned to the win column in April with a scrappy points victory over Jermaine Franklin at The O2.
    The win snapped a two-fight skid for the Brit, who was twice turned over by former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.
    Whyte, meanwhile, eked out a controversial split-decision win over Franklin last November. More

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    Dillian Whyte FAILS drug test with huge Anthony Joshua fight AXED after shock result

    DILLIAN WHYTE’s rematch with Anthony Joshua is OFF following a THIRD career-failed drug test.The long-time rivals were due to renew their 14-year-long feud in a tasty domestic dust-up at the O2 Arena next Saturday.
    Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte were due to renew their rivalry next weekendCredit: GETTY
    But a third career failed drug test from Whyte has scuppered the fightCredit: GETTY
    It’s currently unknown what substance Whyte tested positive forCredit: PA
    But an “adverse analytical finding” in one of Whyte’s recent voluntary drug tests has laid waste to the fight.
    A Matchroom Boxing statement read: “Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol.
    “In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted.
    “Further information on the event will follow.”
    Promoter Eddie Hearn quickly took to Twitter after news of Whyte’s potential doping violation became public.
    The Matchroom chief tweeted: “BREAKING..more updates to follow shortly.”
    The substance Whyte tested positive for is currently unknown.
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023

    🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte 2: How to watch, UK start time, live stream details 🥊
    But SunSport understands TWO failed tests came back from Vada.
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    If they haven’t already, the B-samples for both failed tests will also be examined by VADA.
    Fan favourite Whyte has vowed to clear his name, saying: “I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me.
    “I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it.
    “I have also just seen the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.
    “I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not take the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life.
    “I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.”
    Former WBC heavyweight title challenger Whyte is no stranger to anti-doping controversies.
    Whyte, 35, tested positive for the banned stimulant Methylhexaneamine after his 2012 victory over Sandor Balogh.
    Matchroom are hoping to keep Anthony Joshua on the cardCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
    Dillian Whyte has vowed to prove his innocenceCredit: Reuters
    The substance found its way into Whyte’s system through a banned and since discontinued pre-workout supplement, which landed him a two-year suspension.
    His second anti-doping violation occurred ahead of his interim WBC heavyweight title fight with Oscar Rivas in 2019.
    One of his pre-fight tests returned traces of the banned anabolic steroid Dianabol.
    But he was cleared by UKAD of intentionally taking the performance-enhancing drug due to the “extremely low” levels of the substance found in his system.
    Former unified heavyweight champion Joshua was looking to use Whyte as a stepping stone for a long-awaited grudge match with Deontay Wider.
    And SunSport understands Matchroom will try to draft in a late replacement to keep their poster boy on the card.
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    It’s understood DAZN will make the fight a non-pay-per-view bout if a last-minute replacement is successfully found.
    SunSport has reached out to Dillian Whyte’s team for further comment. More

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    Former Holland star jailed for seven years as he’s found guilty of being behind plot to smuggle over a TON of cocaine

    FORMER Holland star David Mendes da Silva has been jailed for seven years for his involvement in a cocaine trafficking plot. Mendes da Silva, 40, was sentenced by a court in Rotterdam for importing two batches of cocaine weighing 74 and 105 kilos.
    David Mendes da Silva has been jailed for seven yearsCredit: Getty
    Mendes da Silva played for the Dutch national team on seven ocassionsCredit: Getty
    He was then found guilty of preparing the import of another 1300 kilos of cocaine but was acquitted on suspicion of aiding and abetting the import.
    In addition to aiding the importation of drugs, he was found guilty of selling them.
    Mendes da Silva was also found to have bribed a shipping employee.
    The court heard he paid the worker 100,000 euros (£86,000) – while he received 50,000 euros (£43,000) – to report to the location of the container of drugs.
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    He was altogether found guilty on two counts of bribery and the selling and importing of cocaine, having been arrested last August.
    During his time as a player, Mendes da Silva played for the likes of Sparta Rotterdam, AZ Alkmaar and RB Salzburg.
    He won five trophies including the Eredivisie at AZ and the Greek Cup at Panathinaikos.
    The defensive midfielder’s international career in the Holland national team spanned just two years between 2007 and 2009.
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    In that time he won seven caps for the Oranje.
    Mendes da Silva hung up his playing boots in 2017 after making just nine appearances for Rotterdam after returning to the club. More

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    I was a drug addict – now I’m a tattoo artist and charge celebs £3,000 per inking…how I turned my life around

    A DRUG addict who turned his life around now makes up to £3,000 per inking from celebrity clients – here’s how he did it.Dan Rossetter, from Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex had delved so deeply into the crippling world of addiction, he knew he’d end up dead or in prison if he didn’t stop.
    The 40-year-old travels up to 600 miles away to tattoo celebrity clientsCredit: mediadrumimages
    At the age of 30 he had reached a breaking point after dealing with years of painful trauma from being sexually abused throughout his childhood.
    Battling with PTSD, Dan soon lost his job as a BOC gasman – but tried to find some sense of justice in 2013.
    He bravely spoke out about what had been done to him from the age of six to 11, and three years later the survivor saw his abuser sentenced to 13 years in jail.
    However, this did not put an end to Dan’s addiction, and by March 2019 he knew it would either kill him or land him in prison.

    Dan, 40, who now lives in London, told MediaDrumWorld: “My addiction was getting worse, I got to the point where my mental health was deteriorating rapidly and I was feeling very suicidal.
    “With a lot of hard work and help from some very good lifestyle coaches I managed to get myself clean and sober and then my obsession became work and being the best version of myself.”
    Now four years sober, Dan travels to tattoo pro-footballer clients who live up to 600 miles away, and has amassed nearly 200,000 TikTok followers.
    “I’ve tattooed the most footballers out of any other tattoo artist in the world; I’ve documented a lot of this on TikTok which then blew up so my demand for general public clients has also increased massively,” Dan explained.
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    “I have clients travelling from all over the UK and also from abroad.
    “Recently I flew over to Spain to tattoo Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, he wanted a scroll with his five kids’ names in it.”
    The TikTok sensation recounted his biggest work of art was for Chelsea Football Club’s Victor Moses.
    It took the talented artist more than eight hours to complete the black and grey tiger back tattoo.
    HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
    Dan is not new to the industry and kick started his career back in 2010.
    He opened a studio in Gatwick but struggled to manage the business for five years, amid his declining mental health.
    “We made the decision to close the doors in 2015 I partnered up with my business partner Ahmed Alsanawi, AKA A Star Barber,” the tattoo artist said.
    “He is one of the biggest barbers in the world for haircuts for celebrities.
    “I have now been in the game for the last 13 years so I’ve gained a lot of snowball effect returning clients that had kept me busy over the years but what I am most recognised for is tattooing professional footballers.”
    He said clients can fork out anything ranging from £700 to £3,000 depending on the session.
    In his bid to stay at the top of his game, the dedicated artist puts in 12-hour shifts busy days.
    ‘SACRIFICES’
    Despite Dan’s gratitude for the success and fortune he’s found in his dream career – it does come at a cost.
    Being on the road and heavy shift hours has seen the TikTok star “burning out mentally and physically” at times.
    Although he has come a long way since turning his life around in 2019, Dan admitted he does still “struggle” to manage the “demanding” business.
    “Also my neck and back has taken a big hit which to this day still causes me a lot of problems,” he added.
    I’ve tattooed the most footballers out of any other tattoo artist in the world.”Dan Rossetta
    However, none of this keeps Dan away from his studio.
    He said: “But I get to have fun at work too, I have a great memory of when I let four Chelsea players tattoo random things on my leg from a emoji poop to a disabled badge, also the Adidas logo is on there.
    “It was a funny afternoon.”
    KEY TO SUCCESS
    After a difficult start to his career journey, Dan wants to educate other people who want to join him.
    One piece of golden advice he offered was to find ways of expanding your portfolio.
    He said: “Create yourself a portfolio of your artwork and keep knocking at the doors of local studios.
    “Become a pest and keep asking until you get an opportunity.”
    Read More on The Sun
    The 40-year-old reminded young artists to stay “relentless” despite it being such a hard industry to break into.
    “If you want it enough you will get your opportunity,” said Dan.
    Dan worked as a BOC gasman before falling into addiction and struggle with his mental healthCredit: mediadrumimages
    He is now four years sober and working in the top circles within the industryCredit: mediadrumimages
    The tattoo artist pictures with Arsenal’s Emile Smith RoweCredit: mediadrumimages More

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    Brave Dele Alli pictured in Everton training for first time since heartbreaking interview about abuse and pill addiction

    DELE ALLI has returned to Everton training for the first time since his brave tell-all interview.The England midfielder, 27, revealed his sleeping pill addiction and says a huge number of players are suffering with the issue.
    Dele Alli has retuned to training with Everton during pre-seasonCredit: Getty
    Dele returned to training for the first time after his powerful interviewCredit: Getty
    He made the admission in a hard-hitting interview with Gary Neville in which he also revealed he was sexually abused as a child.
    The star, who spent part of last season on loan at Besiktas, also opened up on his difficult childhood during which he sold drugs at eight and was hung off a bridge at 11.
    Today Dele was pictured working with Toffees staff in Evian, France as he takes his first steps to returning to the game.
    With Dele watching on, Sean Dyche’s men began their pre-season  with a 2-1 win over Stade Nyonnais.
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    A leading sleep expert agrees with the Everton ace that the addiction to prescription drugs is ‘rife’ in English football.
    James Wilson, who has worked with several sides in England, said: “You hear stories from players and staff that say: ‘You should go and work with this club because every first-team player is taking sleeping pills every night.
    “They are not generally good for your sleep and they are not good for recovery so that is why they are not a good idea in football.
    “The fact they are addictive is the cherry on the cake. The use is rife in football because the job itself contributes to poor sleep.
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    “They can be addictive but also the sleeping tablet doesn’t give you sleep, it knocks you out. Sleeping pills impact on REM sleep.
    “Without that  REM sleep, the sleeping pill without him knowing will have contributed to him not being able to deal with the mental health issues that he was living with.”
    Wilson does not blame club doctors for prescribing sleeping pills but has urged further training and education to ensure a severe change  in the attitude towards them.
    He added: “We need to be educating players younger about sleep and we need to support players around their mental health.
    “Often poor sleep can be caused by things going on in the players’ lives.
    “We are not great at supporting men’s feelings. There needs to be more done there.
    Dele opened up about his battle with a sleeping pill addictionCredit: Getty
    Dele also revealed he suffered abuse when he was a childCredit: Getty
    “There needs to be better-trained staff. It is more about nutritionists, physios or sports therapists having a better understanding of sleep so they can advise better.
    “There also needs to be a cultural change. If senior and successful players are taking them then younger players look up to them and it becomes a myth.
    “The problem in football is we approach sleep like we approach training: ‘The harder I try the better I get. If I put X, Y, Z in, I’ll get X, Y, Z out’ but sleep is not like that.”
    Former Oxford United psychotherapist Gary Bloom added: “Football clubs are only just waking up to the realisation that when people have off-field issues, these inevitably end up on the field.
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    “More clubs should be employing psychotherapists who are able to mix and  mingle freely with players and warn them of the consequences if they don’t clean up their personal problems.”
    If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. More

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    I was selling drugs aged 8 and was hung off a bridge on estate, says England star Dele Alli

    ENGLAND star Dele Alli has revealed how he sold drugs aged eight as he opened up about his traumatic childhood.The midfielder, 27, told how he was hung off a bridge as a kid by an adult as his life spiralled.
    Dele Alli has revealed he began selling drugs aged just eightCredit: YouTube
    Alli revealed the bombshell in an emotional interview on The Overlap with Gary Neville.
    The Everton star said: “At seven I started smoking and then at eight I started selling drugs. 
    “An older person told me they wouldn’t stop a kid on a bike so I’d ride around with my football and underneath I’d have drugs.
    “At 11 I was hung off a bridge… by a guy from the next estate. A man.”
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    Ex-Spurs star Alli wiped back tears as he told how he was sexually abused by his mum’s friend when he was just six.
    But he explained how his life turned around when he was adopted by an “amazing” family aged 12.
    Alli gushed as he revealed how he “couldn’t have asked for better people to do what they done for me”.
    The footballer added: “If God created people it was them – they were amazing and have helped me a lot.
    Most read in Football
    “When I was living with them it was hard for me to open up to them because I felt like it was easy for them to get rid of me.”
    But he found himself on a downward spiral again after returning to England from Turkey, where he was on loan at Besiktas.
    Alli said he was excessively drinking and consuming sleeping pills.
    In a desperate bid to get himself back on the straight and narrow, he checked himself into a rehab facility.
    He explained: “When I came back from Turkey I found out I needed an operation I was in a bad place mentally and I decided to go to a modern day rehab facility for mental health.
    “They deal with addiction and trauma. I felt it was time for me.
    “You can’t be told to go there – you have to know and make the decision yourself or it’s not going to work.
    “I was caught in a bad cycle and things that were doing me harm.”
    The star also revealed he considered retiring aged 24 after a spectacular fall-out with then-coach Jose Mourinho.
    Alli has been flooded with support following the interview, including from his girlfriend Cindy Kimberly.
    She tweeted: “Proud of you.”
    James Maddison, who recently signed to Spurs, also shared his support for Alli.
    He posted a still from the interview on his Instagram stories, writing “Love you brother” followed by a heart emoji.
    Ryan Sessegnon, who played alongside Alli during his time at Tottenham, said: “Love you brother. Proud”
    Read More on The Sun
    Spurs captain and England teammate Harry Kane liked the post along with Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier.
    While Kyle Walker-Peters wrote: “So proud of you bro, love you.”
    The star opened up in an interview with Gary Neville
    Alli told how his life turned around when he was adoptedCredit: PA More

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    England star Dele Alli reveals he was ‘sexually abused when he was six by friend of his mum’

    DELE Alli has revealed he was sexually abused by a friend of his mum as a child.The England international made the shock revelation in a bombshell interview after returning to Everton in April.
    Dele Alli revealed he was molested by a friend of his mother at the age of six
    The star also admitted he later struggled with addictionCredit: Peter Tarry – The Sunday Times
    Gary Neville comforted Dele Alli during the emotional chat
    During an appearance on The Overlap with Gary Neville, he revealed he recently spent time in rehab for sleeping pill addiction.
    And opened up about his traumatic experiences as a child.
    He said: “When I was six I was molested by mum’s friend… because my mum was an alcoholic.
    “That happened at six.”
    The Everton star became very emotional and was seen wiping back tears as he opened up about his trauma.
    He continued: “And then I was sent to Africa to learn discipline and then I was sent back.
    “At seven I started smoking and then at eight I started selling drugs. 
    “An older person told me they wouldn’t stop a kid on a bike so I’d ride around with my football and underneath I’d have drugs.
    Most read in Football
    “At 11 I was hung off a bridge… by a guy from the next estate. A man.
    “By 12 I was adopted but from then it was like I was adopted by an amazing family.
    “I couldn’t have asked for better people to do what they done for me.
    “If God created people it was them – they were amazing and have helped me a lot.
    “When I was living with them it was hard for me to open up to them because I felt like it was easy for them to get rid of me.”
    It comes as Alli, 27, found himself on a downward spiral after returning to England from Turkey, excessively drinking and consuming sleeping pills.
    And in a desperate bid to get himself back on the straight and narrow, he checked himself into a rehab facility.
    He explained: “When I came back from Turkey I found out I needed an operation I was in a bad place mentally and I decided to go to a modern day rehab facility for mental health.
    “They deal with addiction and trauma. I felt it was time for me.
    “You can’t be told to go there – you have to know and make the decision yourself or it’s not going to work.
    “I was caught in a bad cycle and things that were doing me harm.”
    And he admits he contemplated hanging up his boots three years ago at the age of 24.
    The former Tottenham man said: “One morning I woke up and I had to go training.
    “I remember staring in the mirror and I was asking if I could retire now. At 24. Doing the thing I love.
    “For me that was heartbreaking.”
    He added: ‘It’s always been me against myself in everything.
    “I was winning the fight, showing I was happy. But inside, I was losing the battle.”
    Alli’s girlfriend Cindy Kimberly this morning led messages of support after her boyfriend opened up.
    She wrote on Twitter: “Proud of you.”
    And Prince William congratulated Dele for being “brave and inspirational”.
    He said: “Discussing mental health is not a sign of weakness. Let’s keep the conversation going.
    “We’re all with you and we wish you the very best.”
    James Maddison, who recently signed to Spurs, also shared his support for Alli.
    He posted a still from the interview on his Instagram stories, writing “Love you brother” followed by a heart emoji.
    Ryan Sessegnon, who played alongside Alli during his time at Tottenham, said: “Love you brother. Proud.”
    Spurs captain and England teammate Harry Kane liked the post along with Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier.
    While Kyle Walker-Peters wrote: “So proud of you bro, love you.”
    How you can get helpWhenever it happened to you, it’s never too late to get support.
    If you’ve ever experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse, you can get confidential support from specialists who will listen to you, believe you and understand how hard it is to talk about.
    As a victim, you’re entitled to support whether you report the crime or not.
    Your rights are set out in full in the Victims’ Code.
    Visit gov.uk/sexualabusesupport to see the support on offer.

    Overlap host Neville, who coached the star during his time with England and was seen close to tears himself during the interview, shared a tweet afterwards.
    He called it “the most emotional, difficult yet inspirational conversation I’ve ever had in my life”.
    Alli was one of the first Everton players to return to pre-season training last week.
    But manager Sean Dyche recently refused to be drawn on the midfielder’s future shortly after his arrival at Goodison Park.
    In April, he said: “He is not here. He has an injury which will keep him out for some time.
    “Some of the stuff reported – they know what they should and shouldn’t be doing.
    “As a manager, you cannot control everything in their lives.
    Read More on The Sun
    “Should we be following them all day? You can only guide them.
    “He has an injury which will take a while to sort out – it will be a number of weeks.”
    The star bravely opened up about his traumatic experiences as a child
    Alli, pictured with his biological mother Denise, was adopted by an ‘amazing family’ when he was 12Credit: Tracey Kandohla
    He arrived back at Everton in April and was one of the first players to return to pre-season trainingCredit: Getty
    The Overlap host came close to tears during the heartbreaking interview
    Alli’s girlfriend Cindy Kimberly led messages of support saying how proud she is of him More