Fashanu daughter calls enstranged step mum ‘black widow

’ John Fashanu's daughter has labelled the former footballer's estranged wife 'a black widow' and claimed she used to 'fritter away' thousands of pounds. Amal, 27, made the comments about her stepmother Abigail on the eve of the couple's bitter divorce battle.

Her father has been embroiled in the bitter split since last year after Abigail allegedly threatened him with knives after rumours he slept with their maid. The fashion designer, from London, told Emma Pryer at The Sunday People: 'Abigail is the master of manipulation. "She has been dubbed the black widow back home in Nigeria - and it is spot on." Amal also claimed her father was assaulted by Abigail around six times and said the first time she met her stepmother her father had a 'big lump under his left eye'. “He also told me she'd fritter away £2,500 "play money" he gave her, then ask for more,' she said. 'He was stupid and senseless but he feels huge regret now and is finally happy and free of her.” Fashanu's first marriage to Ivory Coast model Melissa Kassa-Mapsi ended in divorce in 2004. He also lived with Spanish model Marisol Acuna Duenas, Amal's mother, for nine years. He wed Abigail in 2011 but their marriage hit the rocks last year with both parties forced to address rumours of infidelity. Police reports released also showed pictures of Fashanu with a bloody hand, allegedly after being attacked by Abigail. After filing for divorce the ex-Wimbledon player, 52, claimed his 'life was at stake' and alleged Mrs Fashanu cheated on him with another woman who she called her 'spiritual partner'. Mrs Fashanu vehemently denies these allegations. In an earlier interview with the Sunday People she claimed the woman was just a female friend who was living with her for a short period of time and said her ex-husband was 'sick and needs help'. Abigail also labelled claims she was violent as 'ridiculous' and said she would not comment further until after the divorce proceedings.