England’s Ivan Toney to stand trial during Euro 2028 after denying assault charge

Ivan Toney has in effect been ruled out of Euro 2028 after his trial for assault occasioning actual bodily harm was scheduled for 12 June 2028.

Toney appeared at Southwark crown court and stood in the dock to confirm a not guilty plea. The striker is accused of head-butting and punching Saber Da Silva at a Soho nightclub on 6 December last year.

Setting the trial date for 20 months’ time, the judge, Christopher Hehir, apologised to Toney for the delay. “That’s a long way, I’m sorry about that,” he said. “As you may know, the crown courts are operating under a great deal of pressure.” Toney – wearing a black button-up cardigan, white shirt and tie – was told he was in a queue of defendants awaiting crown court trials.

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. 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.

It appears inconceivable the England manager would select a player for Euro 2028, which is due to be held in the UK and Ireland, while the player faces a criminal trial during the group stage.

Toney was released on unconditional bail and told it was “very important” and “a matter of common sense” that he stayed in regular contact with his solicitors while awaiting trial.

The judge told Toney that the law obliged him to give the footballer a formal warning, as with any defendant on bail awaiting trial, about the consequences of failing to attend court. “It’s a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment,” he said. The case would likely be tried in his absence if he did not appear, the judge added.

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 head-butted 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.”

Toney, who has 10 England caps, started his career at Northampton before moving to Newcastle and Peterborough. His career took off at Brentford, where his goals helped them win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 before he established himself as one of the leading top-flight strikers. He moved to Al-Ahli for £40m in 2024.