England forward Ivan Toney is scheduled to stand trial over an alleged assault at a London nightclub on June 12, 2028, with the court proceedings set to coincide with the European Championship.
The Al-Ahli striker appeared before Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, October 29, 2026, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident involving Saber Da Silva in December 2025.
Judge Christopher Hehir provisionally fixed the trial date during a brief hearing, placing the proceedings three days after Euro 2028 begins on June 9. The tournament, which will run until July 9, will be jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
Toney, 30, is accused of headbutting Da Silva and subsequently punching him during a confrontation at the 100 Wardour Street nightclub in Soho, central London, on December 6, 2025.
According to details presented during an earlier court hearing, the two men confronted each other before Toney allegedly lunged forward and headbutted Da Silva, followed by several punches.
The complainant reportedly sustained injuries to his nose and fingers. However, Toney has denied the criminal charge, and the circumstances surrounding the confrontation will be examined during the trial.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Judge Hehir apologised to the footballer for the lengthy wait before the case could be heard, citing pressure on the Crown Court system and a substantial backlog of cases.
Toney was subsequently released on unconditional bail as he awaits the trial, which is expected to last three to four days.
The legal proceedings follow a Metropolitan Police investigation that resulted in Toney being charged on July 31, 2026. His representative previously said the striker was shocked by the charge but welcomed the opportunity to clear his name in court.
The timing of the trial could also present a scheduling complication for England’s preparations for Euro 2028, although no decision has been announced on Toney’s potential involvement in the tournament.
The striker represented England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the national team finished third. He has earned 10 international appearances and scored once for the Three Lions but was absent from the squad selected for the October Nations League fixtures.
At club level, Toney currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, having joined from Brentford in August 2024 in a move reported to be worth approximately £40 million.
He established himself as one of Brentford’s leading attacking players, scoring 72 goals in 141 appearances across all competitions during his time at the club.
His next major court appearance will therefore come in June 2028, when the allegations will be tested before a Crown Court jury.
