Ivan Toney arrested for assault in London
The 29-year-old footballer arrested for assault over the weekend has been named as England striker Ivan Toney, reports BritPanorama.
On Sunday, it was revealed that an unnamed international star had been handcuffed in central London. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they were called to Wardour Street at 12.47am on Saturday following reports of an assault.
The victim was taken to hospital, with injuries that are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening. Police arrested a 29-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of two counts of assault and one count of affray. Toney has since been released on bail while inquiries continue.
Footage from the 100 Wardour St bar in Soho appeared to show Toney being led away in handcuffs. Eyewitnesses reported that a fan allegedly grabbed Toney by the neck for a selfie, which sparked the confrontation. Witnesses suggested Toney may have felt threatened by the group, leading to the incident.
“He’s a superstar – he gets half a million a week in Saudi Arabia,” one witness noted, commenting on Toney’s expensive jewellery and watch. The same eyewitness recounted Toney saying, “Get off me, get off me,” before he allegedly headbutted one of the men involved.
This incident adds to the scrutiny surrounding professional athletes and their interactions in public spaces, blurring the lines between celebrity status and personal safety. It’s a reminder of how quickly situations can escalate in high-pressure environments, particularly for well-known figures like Toney.
