Ivan Toney, a 30-year-old England striker currently playing for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm on 31 July 2026 by the Metropolitan Police [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. The charge stems from an alleged incident on 6 December 2025 at a nightclub on Wardour Street in Soho, central London, where Toney is accused of assault following an alleged headbutt [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. The Sun newspaper reported on 8 December 2025 that Toney was arrested in connection with the nightclub incident [2, 5, 7, 9].
Toney transferred from Brentford to Al-Ahli in 2024 for a reported fee of approximately £53.8 million ($72.3 million) and scored 42 goals last season for the Saudi club [3, 4, 6, 8]. He was part of England's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, making two appearances including starting in the third-place playoff win against France (6-4) [1, 6, 8]. Prior to Al-Ahli, Toney began his career at Northampton Town and had spells with Newcastle United, Peterborough United, and Brentford, where he made 85 Premier League appearances and scored 36 goals [6, 8, 10].
A spokesperson for Toney 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" [2].
Toney is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 24 September 2026 to face the assault charge [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10].
