Ivan Toney pleads not guilty to nightclub assault, trial set for June 2028

The charge and the plea

On Thursday, 29 October, Ivan Toney, the 30-year-old England striker who plays for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London and formally entered a not guilty plea. He faces a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over an alleged confrontation at a nightclub on Wardour Street in Soho, central London, on 6 December 2025. It was alleged that the man involved suffered injuries to his nose and fingers, and the Metropolitan Police announced the charge in July after its investigation. At an earlier hearing at Westminster magistrates court, prosecutor Tom Heslop told the court that the two men exchanged words and were "squaring up" before Toney allegedly lunged forward and headbutted the complainant, followed by "a few punches". Toney, who is from Northampton, denies the charge.

The hearing and the trial date

Judge Christopher Hehir set a provisional trial date of 12 June 2028 at the same court, during a hearing that lasted about five minutes. Toney reached court at around 9.10am, dressed in black sunglasses, grey trousers, and a jacket buttoned over a shirt and tie. The judge apologised to him for the delay, which he linked to heavy pressure on the crown courts and a large backlog of cases. Hehir said:

“As you may know, the crown courts are operating under a great deal of pressure. We have got a massive backlog of work for various reasons.”

Hehir also warned Toney that skipping court would be an offence carrying a prison sentence, and that the case could proceed without him. Toney was then released on unconditional bail.

Impact on England and Euro 2028

Toney featured at the 2026 World Cup, coming on against Argentina in the semi-final and later starting the third-place match, which England won against France. He has made 10 international appearances and scored one goal for England. England's latest Nations League squad, for the ties at the end of September and early October, did not include him. The trial is due to take place during the group stage of Euro 2028, a tournament that the UK and Ireland will host.

Club career and next steps

Toney began his career at Northampton Town and later played for Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United. He signed for Brentford in 2020, scoring 72 goals in four years with the club, before a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in 2024. After pleading not guilty at Westminster magistrates court, Toney asked for the case to go to a crown court. The case will next return to Southwark Crown Court, where the trial date was set.

Goals for Brentford72

England appearances10

England goals1

Goals for Brentford

72

England appearances

10

England goals

1

Data from the article text