On 17 August 2023 our client was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault in company, contrary to section 61J of the Crimes Act 1900. The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years imprisonment.

The police alleged that in November 2018, almost 5 years earlier, our client and his friend had simultaneously sexually assaulted the complainant whilst she was intoxicated at our client’s home. The complainant did not initially report the incident to police.

On 30 June 2021, almost three years after the alleged sexual assault, our client was selected to play for the Socceroo’s at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The same day that he was selected to play for the Socceroo’s, the complainant made post on Twitter stating, “Love finding out my rapist gets to represent Australia.” Four days later, our client was de-selected from the Socceroo’s due to an internal investigation into the Twitter post by Football Australia.

In August 2021, the complainant continued to make Twitter posts about our client, accusing him of being a ‘rapist’. On 19 August 2021, our client’s previous lawyer sent the complainant a ‘cease and desist’ letter, threatening to sue her for defamation. An hour after receiving this letter, the complainant reported the alleged incident to police.

Two years later, our client was charged by the NSW Police.

On 20 October 2023, our criminal defence lawyer appeared for our client at the Penrith Local Court where the matter was first listed. Outside of Court, our criminal lawyer spoke to the media informing them that our client would be “vigorously defending” the charges. For more information, see:

A-League and Western Sydney Wanderers Star Ruon Tongyik Charged With Sexual Assault in Company, the Daily Mail, 20 October 2023; and

Western Sydney Wanderers player, Ruon Tongyik, suspended from A-League after sexual assault charge, the Daily Telegraph, 20 October 2023.

On 13 May 2024 our client appeared in the Parramatta District Court where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. For more information, see:

A-League player Ruon Tongyik pleads not guilty to aggravated sexual assault in company, the Daily Telegraph, 13 May 2024; and

Former Socceroo seeks trial over sexual assault allegation, Nine News, 13 May 2024.

On 5 March 2025 our client’s trial commenced at the Sydney District Court. During the trial, the jury heard our client’s version of events, which was very different to the complainant’s version of events. The jury heard that the complainant had willingly participated in a game of truth or dare with our client and his friend, before she consensually performed sexual dares, including by performing fellatio on our client in the loungeroom. Our client then dared his friend to go into the bedroom with the complainant, which they did. Inside the bedroom, the complainant and his friend had consensual sex. Our client denied ever having penile-vaginal intercourse with the complainant at any stage. For more information, see:

Former Socceroo defends rape allegations, Yahoo, 5 March 2025;

Ruon Tongyik A-League: Footy star raped woman after getting her blackout drunk in sexually charged game of truth or dare, court hears, the Daily Mail, 5 March 2025;

Ruon Tongyik denies sex with alleged victim as rape allegations defended in court, News.com, 13 March 2025;

Chilling note made after alleged rape by former Socceroo revealed in court, the Australian, 18 March 2025;

‘Waiting for him to be dropped’: Woman’s messages revealed in Tongyik sexual assault trial, the Herald Sun, 25 March 2025;

On 20 March 2025, the jury deliberated for less than 2 hours, before returning a verdict of not guilty to both charges. Outside of Court, our client thanked his legal team for always believing in him.

Our client applied for his legal costs to be paid, on the basis that the complainant was not a credible witness.

For more information, see:

Ex-Socceroo in tears as he’s cleared of rape allegation, Fox Sports, 20 March 2025;

Ex-Socceroo cleared of raping woman in his home, Nine News, 20 March 2025;

Socceroo acquitted of rape speaks of ‘pain, suffering’, AAP, 20 March 2025;

Football star Ruon Tongyik learns his fate after being accused of teaming up with a mate to rape a woman following a drinking game, Daily Mail, 20 March 2025; and

Ex-Socceroo Ruon Tongyik in tears as he’s cleared of rape allegation, News.com, 20 March 2025.

Photo credit: The Canberra Times