Ivan Toney pleads not guilty to assault charge over Soho nightclub incident

Ivan Toney pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Thursday, 1 October, over an alleged incident at a Soho nightclub. The England forward chose to have the case heard at Crown Court, where a judge and jury will decide it.

The charge concerns an encounter with Saber Da Silva at 100 Wardour Street, a live music venue, on 6 December 2025. Prosecutors allege that Toney head-butted and punched him. Toney denies the charge, and the allegations have yet to be decided by a court.

What happened at Ivan Toney’s court hearing

The Guardian reported that the hearing lasted 12 minutes. District Judge Briony Clarke asked Toney whether he wanted the case heard in the magistrates’ court or at Crown Court. Toney stood and replied, ‘Crown court.’ His choice means the charge will be tried before a judge and jury, according to the Guardian.

Sky Sports reported that Toney, 30, was released on unconditional bail and is due at Southwark Crown Court on 29 October. The Guardian did not specify that date in its account of the hearing, but reported that the judge warned Toney a warrant could be issued for his arrest if he failed to attend court on the appointed date.

What prosecutors allege happened at 100 Wardour Street

Prosecutor Tom Heslop told the court that Toney and Da Silva exchanged words before ‘squaring up’, according to the Guardian. Heslop said it was not known what the two men had said to each other. That account leaves the content of the exchange unclear, even as prosecutors put forward their account of the physical encounter.

Heslop alleged that Toney then lunged forward, head-butted Da Silva and threw a few punches. The prosecution said Da Silva sustained injuries to his nose and fingers, the Guardian reported. The report gives no further detail about the severity of those injuries. These are allegations presented in court, rather than findings against Toney.

The incident is alleged to have taken place on 6 December last year at the Soho venue. Both the Guardian and Sky Sports identify Da Silva as the complainant and describe the allegation as involving a headbutt and punches. Neither account establishes what prompted the encounter, and the Guardian reports that even the prosecutor did not know what was said beforehand.

How the charge reached this hearing

Toney was charged on 31 July following a Metropolitan Police investigation, according to the Guardian. The charge was already public before Thursday’s appearance; the new step was his formal not-guilty plea and his decision to have the case heard at Crown Court. No trial date is established in the two court reports.

When the charge was announced, a spokesperson for Toney 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.’ The Guardian and Sky Sports both carried that response. Toney’s plea at Thursday’s hearing was not guilty.

Toney’s England and club career

Toney plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli and has won 10 England caps, according to the Guardian. He was part of the England squad that reached the Euro 2024 final. The Guardian also reported that he was included in England’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, appearing in the semi-final against Argentina and starting the third-place playoff against France.

The striker began his career at hometown club Northampton Town, then moved to Newcastle and Peterborough United before joining Brentford. His goals helped Brentford win promotion to the Premier League in 2021, the Guardian reported. He moved to Al-Ahli in 2024 for a reported £40 million. Those career details explain his public profile; the court case turns on the evidence about the alleged nightclub incident.

What happens at Southwark Crown Court

Sky Sports gives 29 October as the date of Toney’s next hearing at Southwark Crown Court. The reports do not establish a trial date or describe any further directions for the case. The Crown Court process follows Toney’s choice of venue at the magistrates’ hearing, while the charge remains contested.