England footballer Ivan Toney charged with assault over Soho nightclub incident

The England footballer Ivan Toney has been charged with assault after an incident at a nightclub in Soho in December last year.

Scotland Yard said the striker had been charged on 31 July with assault causing actual bodily harm. Toney, who plays for the Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on 24 September.

The Sun newspaper reported in December that Toney had been arrested after an alleged head-butt. It claimed a fan recognised the footballer and grabbed at him while seeking a photograph with him before the incident.

On Friday the Metropolitan police said the charges related to an incident on 6 December at a nightclub on Wardour Street in central London, reportedly the now-closed 100 Wardour Street.

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.”

Toney was at the centre of one of the most curious transfers on deadline day in August 2024 when he completed a late move from Brentford to Al-Ahli worth a reported £40m. He has also played for Newcastle United and his home town club Northampton Town, as well as several others on loan as he looked to establish himself.

Seen as a late bloomer in football terms, he had made only two Premier League appearances before his 25th birthday, but went on to score 67 goals in 128 appearances over the next three seasons at the top level.

He has played 10 times for England, scoring once in a friendly match against Belgium in 2024, and was part of the 2026 World Cup squad, making appearances against Argentina in the semi-final and in the win over France as England finished third.