IVAN TONEY FACES 2028 TRIAL OVER ALLEGED NIGHTCLUB ASSAULT

England striker Ivan Toney pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday. The charge concerns an alleged confrontation with Saber Da Silva at the 100 Wardour Street nightclub in Soho, central London, on 6 December 2025. Toney is accused of headbutting Da Silva and punching him during the confrontation. Judge Christopher Hehir set a provisional trial date of 12 June 2028 at the same court. The court granted Toney unconditional bail after a hearing that lasted about five minutes.

At an earlier hearing, the court heard that the two men “squared up to each other” before the alleged assault. A Metropolitan Police investigation preceded the charge, which became public in late July. Toney, of Northampton, has made 10 appearances for England and scored one international goal. He represented England at this summer’s World Cup. He did not join the latest England squad for its Nations League ties.

Hehir apologised to Toney for the wait until trial, saying: “That’s a long way in advance and I’m sorry about that.” He told the court that crown courts faced pressure and a backlog of work. Toney began his football career at Northampton Town and later played for Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United. He joined Brentford in 2020 and scored 72 goals during four years with the club. In 2024, he moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, where he currently plays.