England striker Ivan Toney will face trial over an alleged assault at a London nightclub in June 2028, throughout the European Championships of that summer season.
The 30-year-old is accused of headbutting and punching Saber Da Silva throughout a confrontation at a nightclub in Wardour Road, central London, on December 6 final yr.
Toney, who has been within the England squad for the final two main tournaments, appeared at Southwark Crown Court docket on Thursday morning and formally entered a not responsible plea to a cost of assault occasioning precise bodily hurt.
In the course of the five-minute listening to, a provisional trial date was set for a similar court docket on June 12, 2028 – a number of days after the beginning of Euro 2028 – by Choose Christopher Hehir, who advised the defendant he was “sorry” concerning the delay.
He mentioned: “That is a good distance prematurely and I am sorry about that. As you could know, the crown courts are working below a substantial amount of strain. We have now obtained a large backlog of labor for varied causes.”
Toney arrived at court docket at round 9.10am sporting black sun shades, gray trousers and a button-up jacket over a shirt and tie.
He was launched on unconditional bail after the transient listening to.
An earlier listening to was advised the alleged assault occurred on the 100 Wardour Road membership throughout a confrontation between the defendant and Mr Da Silva.
It was heard the 2 males “squared up to one another”, earlier than Toney allegedly “lunged ahead and headbutted the complainant, adopted by a number of punches”.
The legal case got here after a Metropolitan Police investigation and the cost was introduced in late July.
Toney represented England at this summer season’s World Cup and has made 10 worldwide appearances and scored one purpose.
He missed out on the most recent squad for the nation’s Nations League fixtures.
Toney began his profession with Northampton and made everlasting strikes to Newcastle and Peterborough earlier than signing for Brentford in 2020.
He scored 72 objectives throughout 4 years with the Bees earlier than making a shock change in 2024 to Saudi Professional League membership Al-Ahli.
