The Ivan Toney trial will be held in June 2028, after the England striker pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The 30-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday morning for a five-minute hearing, where a provisional date was fixed and he was released on unconditional bail.
The charge and Thursday's hearing
Toney is accused of headbutting and punching Saber Da Silva during a confrontation at a nightclub on Wardour Street, central London, on December 6 last year. He formally entered his not guilty plea at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.
Judge Christopher Hehir set a provisional trial date of June 12, 2028 at the same court. Toney arrived at about 9.10am wearing black sunglasses, grey trousers and a button-up jacket over a shirt and tie, and left the brief hearing on unconditional bail.
Why the Ivan Toney trial date is so far away
Judge Hehir apologised to the defendant for the wait. "That's a long way in advance and I'm sorry about that," he said. "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."
The date is provisional, so it could shift if the court schedule changes. For Toney, it means the allegation will remain unresolved for close to three years unless an earlier hearing is listed.
What was said at the earlier hearing
An earlier hearing was told the alleged assault happened at the 100 Wardour Street club. The two men "squared up to each other", it was heard, before Toney allegedly "lunged forward and headbutted the complainant, followed by a few punches".
The case followed a Metropolitan Police investigation, and the charge was announced in late July. Toney has not been convicted of any offence; his plea means the allegation is expected to be tested at trial.
Toney's England and club career
Toney represented England at this summer's World Cup and has made 10 international appearances, scoring one goal. He missed out on the latest squad for the country's Nations League fixtures.
He started his career with Northampton and made permanent moves to Newcastle and Peterborough before signing for Brentford in 2020. He scored 72 goals during four years with the Bees, then made a surprise switch in 2024 to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.
What to watch
With the trial listed for 2028, the case will run alongside the next phase of Toney's club career. His position in future England squads is the most immediate football question raised by the pending charge.
The original report is available at skysports.com.
