Ivan Toney's trial: A court date has been set for June 2028, when he will be tried over an alleged attack on Saber Da Silva at a nightclub, the announcement made on Thursday said.
Saber Da Silva was allegedly headbutted and punched by Ivan Toney, a 30-year-old footballer with Saudi side Al-Ahli, at a Soho nightclub in the centre of the capital in December of last year.
Ivan Toney At the Southwark Crown Court
At Southwark Crown Court in London on Thursday, Ivan Toney formally denied an allegation of assaulting someone and causing them actual bodily harm, entering a plea of not guilty.
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Judge Christopher Hehir presided over a hearing lasting just five minutes, at which he pencilled in 12 June 2028 for the trial, to be held at the same court. He told Toney he was “sorry” about the wait.
Hehir apologised for how far off the date was, telling the court: “That's a long way in advance, and I'm sorry about that,” and went on to say: “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.”
After a short court appearance, Ivan Toney walked free on bail with no conditions attached.
A previous hearing was told that the alleged attack took place inside the 100 Wardour Street venue, during an argument between Da Silva and the defendant.
The court was told that the pair “squared up to each other” before Toney allegedly moved in, struck the complainant with his head and then threw a few punches.
Ivan Toney's Football Career
Ivan Toney, who used to play for Brentford, has ten England caps and one international goal to his name. He was part of the squad for the 2026 World Cup, though his name does not appear among those picked for the newest Nations League call-up.
Ivan Toney was part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup, coming on against Argentina in the semi-final and starting the third-place playoff victory against France.
Ivan Toney, who plays for the Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, was charged by the Metropolitan police three weeks after the tournament. He was not part of Tuchel’s next squad for the Nations League fixtures at the end of September and early October.
Euro 2028 is set to take place in the UK and Ireland, and it seems unthinkable that the England boss would name a player in his squad who would be facing a criminal trial while the group games are being played.
Toney was granted bail with no conditions attached. He was told that keeping in regular touch with his solicitors until the trial was “very important” and “a matter of common sense”.
Judge Hehir explained to Toney that, as with every defendant on bail pending trial, he was legally required to give the footballer a formal caution over what happens if he fails to turn up at court. “It’s a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment,” he said. The judge went on to say that, should Toney not appear, the case would probably proceed without him being present.
When Toney appeared at Westminster magistrates court to enter his plea at the start of October, the court was told by the prosecutor, Tom Heslop, that Toney and Da Silva exchanged words that resulted in them “squaring up” to one another before Toney “lunged forward and headbutted the complainant, followed by a few punches”. Da Silva sustained injuries to his nose and fingers, it was alleged. After pleading not guilty, Toney requested that his trial be heard at a crown court.
After the Metropolitan police announced Toney had been charged, a spokesperson for the player said: “Ivan acknowledges the charge, and although he is naturally shocked, he looks forward to being given the opportunity to clear his name in court.”
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