2026-08-07 11:31:02
Ivan Toney has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm following an alleged incident at a nightclub in central London.
The England striker, 30, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, was charged on 31 July following an incident said to have taken place at a venue on Wardour Street in Soho on 6 December 2025.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 24 September.
A spokesperson for Ivan said: “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 charge comes weeks after Ivan returned from the World Cup with England, where the former Brentford striker made two appearances as the Three Lions finished third.
Ivan started England’s remarkable 6–4 victory over France in the third-place play-off last month, having previously appeared as a late substitute during the 2–1 semi-final defeat by Argentina.
The striker had been a surprise inclusion in England’s World Cup squad after continuing his goalscoring form in Saudi Arabia.
He scored 42 goals for Al-Ahli last season and has established himself as one of the Saudi Pro League club’s leading attacking players following his move from Brentford in 2024.
His court appearance is scheduled for two days before England are due to face world champions Spain at Wembley in their Nations League opener.
Ivan remains best known to English football supporters for his prolific spell with Brentford, where his goals helped the west London club win promotion to the Premier League before he became an established top-flight striker.
He scored 36 Premier League goals during his time with the Bees.
Ivan began his senior career with Northampton Town before joining Newcastle United and having loan spells at several clubs. Permanent moves to Peterborough United and then Brentford followed before his switch to Al-Ahli.
Issuing a statement about the charge, the Metropolitan Police said: “A man has been charged with assault following a Met investigation.
“Ivan Toney, 30, of Northampton, was charged on Thursday, 31 July with assault causing actual bodily harm.
“He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 24 September.
“The charge relates to an assault, which reportedly took place on 6 December 2025 at a nightclub on Wardour Street, W1.”
The Sun reported witnesses at the venue said trouble began after a fan approached Ivan and attempted to take a photograph with him.
One reveller, who said he had been at the venue with his girlfriend, told the publication: “He walked past a table of a group of lads.
“One of them recognised him and said, ‘Oh, it’s Ivan Toney’ and tried to put his hands around his neck to get a photo with him.
“And then Toney has said, ‘Get off me, get off me’.”
Police officers subsequently arrived at the venue and Ivan was led outside.
The witness told The Sun he believed the England forward may have felt threatened during the encounter.
He added: “He’s a superstar – he gets half a million a week in Saudi Arabia.
“He had his jewellery on and he had a real nice watch.
“He might have thought they were trying to attack him to take his chain or watch off him.”
The development follows Ivan sharing photographs from a luxury holiday on Instagram in recent days, captioning the post: “down time but we stay up”.
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