England striker Ivan Toney will face trial over an alleged assault at a London nightclub in summer season 2028.
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 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.
Throughout the five-minute listening to, a provisional trial date was set for a similar courtroom on June 12, 2028 by Decide Christopher Hehir, who advised the defendant he was “sorry” in regards to the delay.
He mentioned: “That is a great distance upfront and I am sorry about that. As you could know, the crown courts are working beneath an excessive amount of strain. We’ve obtained a large backlog of labor for numerous causes.”
Toney arrived at courtroom at round 9.10am carrying 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 just a few 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 aim.
He missed out on the newest 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 swap in 2024 to Saudi Professional League membership Al-Ahli.