Ivan Toney charged as London case casts shadow over Al-Ahli return

Ivan Toney has been formally charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an alleged incident at a nightclub in London, creating uncertainty around the Al-Ahli Saudi striker shortly before the start of the new season.

The 30-year-old England international is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 24 September. The charge relates to an alleged assault at a nightclub on Wardour Street in Soho on 6 December last year.

Toney was arrested on 7 December and later released on bail while the Metropolitan Police continued its investigation. The force confirmed that he was formally charged on 31 July, after part of the inquiry into the incident had been completed.

No final judgment has been reached in the case. Toney remains innocent of the charge unless and until he is found guilty by a court.

The court appearance is scheduled to take place during the international break and less than two months after the new Roshn Saudi League campaign begins on 13 August. The timing means the legal proceedings could become a significant issue for both Al-Ahli Saudi and the England Football Association as they assess the implications of the case.

Toney is currently preparing for another season with Al-Ahli Saudi, having left English football in 2024 after an influential spell with Brentford. He scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for the club and played a major role in its promotion to the Premier League.

His performances at Brentford also helped establish him as one of England’s leading forwards in recent years. Toney became part of the national team set-up and represented England at the 2026 World Cup before returning to Al-Ahli Saudi ahead of the new domestic campaign.

The alleged incident took place away from the football pitch, but the formal charge comes at a sensitive stage for the player and his club. Al-Ahli Saudi are preparing for the beginning of the season while Toney faces a court hearing in London in September.

The Metropolitan Police’s confirmation marks the latest public development in a case that began with the alleged nightclub incident in December. The ongoing legal process will determine what happens next, while any response from Al-Ahli Saudi or the England Football Association remains to be seen.

For now, Toney is expected to continue his football commitments with Al-Ahli Saudi as the club builds towards the start of the Roshn Saudi League season. His appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court will then bring the case back into focus during the international break.