Ivan Toney assault charge: England striker pleads not guilty over an alleged Soho nightclub incident and is granted unconditional bail

LONDON, October 1, 2026: England striker Ivan Toney, 30, has pleaded not guilty to an assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, following an alleged incident at a Soho nightclub on December 6, 2025.

Also read: Portugal Confirm Leao as New No. 7 After Ronaldo Camp Exit

Toney, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, appeared before District Judge Briony Clarke on Thursday and denied attacking Saber Da Silva during an alleged confrontation at a nightclub on Wardour Street.

The footballer was granted unconditional bail and elected to have the case heard at Crown Court before a judge and jury. Toney is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on October 29.

The case followed a Metropolitan Police investigation into the alleged incident at 100 Wardour Street. Toney was formally charged on July 31 with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Tom Heslop told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that Toney and Da Silva had allegedly “squared up to each other” before Toney was accused of headbutting Da Silva and throwing several punches. Those allegations have not been tested at trial.

Toney has consistently indicated that he intends to contest the allegation. A spokesperson for the striker said he was shocked by the charge but welcomed the opportunity to defend himself in court.

“Ivan acknowledges the charge and although he is naturally shocked, he looks forward to being given the opportunity to clear his name in court,” the spokesperson said.

The October 29 hearing will move the matter into the Crown Court process, where Toney will face the allegation before a judge and jury. His decision to elect Crown Court trial came after Judge Clarke indicated that the case could be dealt with at magistrates’ court.

The legal development comes against the backdrop of a significant period in Toney’s international career.

The Northampton-born forward was part of England’s squad at the 2026 World Cup and has made 10 senior appearances for the national side, scoring once. He was not included in England’s latest squad for the Nations League fixtures.

Toney’s club career has also taken him through a notable rise in English football. He began with Northampton Town before spells with Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United, then joined Newcastle United as a teenager.

He moved to Brentford in 2020 and became one of the club’s leading forwards during four seasons in west London.

He scored 72 goals for Brentford before moving to Al-Ahli in 2024 in a reported £40 million deal.

The court proceedings add a difficult legal dimension to a career that has already included considerable scrutiny.

In 2023, Toney received an eight-month ban from football after admitting breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules, although that matter is separate from the current criminal proceedings.

For now, the central issue is the allegation before the court. Toney has entered a not-guilty plea, and no finding of guilt has been made.

Also read: Portugal Confirm Leao as New No. 7 After Ronaldo Camp Exit

The next significant step will come at Southwark Crown Court on October 29, when the case is scheduled to return before a judge and jury.