England international Ivan Toney faces an assault charge stemming from a nightclub altercation in central London, the Metropolitan Police confirmed Thursday.
Officers charged the Al-Ahli striker with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and he will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 24. The charge relates to an assault that reportedly took place on December 6, 2025, at a nightclub on Wardour Street in Soho. Reports indicate the venue in question has since closed.
The incident reportedly unfolded after a fan approached Toney for a photograph. A witness told The Sun that a man recognised Toney, reached for him to grab a selfie, and that Toney responded by telling him to back off before headbutting him.
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The alleged victim was left bleeding from the bridge of his nose, and police arrived at the venue within roughly half an hour, arresting Toney and leading him out in handcuffs.
spokesperson, striking a defiant tone. “Ivan acknowledges the charge and although he is naturally shocked, he looks forward to being given the opportunity to clear his name in court”.
The striker has remained free to work throughout the process.Toney has been on unconditional bail since his arrest last December, and was still granted a US visa that allowed him to travel to the World Cup in June.
Toney’s football career has taken him across several clubs and countries. He broke through at Northampton Town before spells at Newcastle, Peterborough, and Brentford, where he established himself as a Premier League striker. He then completed a big-money switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
His England involvement has followed a similarly unpredictable path. Toney earned a surprise recall to the World Cup squad this summer, though game time was scarce he came off the bench late in England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina before earning a start in the third-place playoff, a wild 6-4 win over France.
The case adds Toney’s name to a growing list of footballers facing off-field legal scrutiny, though he is entitled to the presumption of innocence until the court proceedings conclude. September’s hearing will mark the first opportunity for the matter to be formally addressed before a magistrate.
