England striker Ivan Toney appeared in court on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The 30-year-old footballer, originally from Northampton, is accused of assaulting a man during an incident at a nightclub in London’s Soho district late last year.
The charges stem from an alleged altercation on 6 December, during which Toney is accused of headbutting and punching a man named Saber Da Silva at a venue located on Wardour Street.
During the brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the professional athlete confirmed his name and age before formally entering his not-guilty plea. While District Judge Briony Clarke indicated that the case was suitable to be heard within the magistrates’ court system, Toney exercised his right to elect for a trial at the Crown Court. This decision ensures that the matter will be adjudicated before a judge and jury.
Following the proceedings, Toney was released on unconditional bail. He is now expected to appear for a subsequent hearing at Southwark Crown Court, which has been scheduled for 29 October.
The legal development marks a difficult moment for the striker, who has enjoyed a high-profile career on both the domestic and international stages. Toney, who has earned 10 caps for England, was a notable member of the national squad that reached the final of Euro 2024.
His journey through professional football began at Northampton Town, the club where he first made his mark as a developing talent. Over the following years, Toney built a formidable reputation across the English Football League, playing for various clubs including Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United. However, it was his 2020 move to Brentford that propelled him into the spotlight of the Premier League, where he established himself as one of the division’s most consistent goal-scorers.
Following his successful stint in the Premier League, Toney moved abroad to join the Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. The transfer represented a significant shift in his career trajectory, taking the striker out of the English domestic game and into a new chapter in the Middle East.
Representatives for the footballer have offered little comment outside of the court proceedings, and Toney made no statement as he left the building. As the case moves to the Crown Court, legal observers will be waiting for further details to emerge regarding the evidence surrounding the December incident. For now, the striker remains on bail, with his next court appearance set for late October.
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