Ivan Toney pleads not guilty to Soho nightclub assault as Saudi goalscoring run continues

England striker Ivan Toney has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a man at a London nightclub, choosing to face a jury trial while he continues a record-breaking goalscoring run in Saudi Arabia.

The 30-year-old Al-Ahli forward appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday following an incident at 100 Wardour Street, a live music venue in Soho, in December last year. He stands accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

During the 12-minute hearing, prosecutor Tom Heslop told the court that words were exchanged between Toney and Saber Da Silva on 6 December. While the details of the conversation remain unknown, Mr Heslop said the exchange resulted in the two men "squaring up" before Toney lunged forward, head-butted Mr Da Silva, and hit him with several punches. The prosecution alleges the altercation left Mr Da Silva with injuries to his nose and fingers.

Asked by District Judge Briony Clarke whether he wanted his case heard by magistrates or a jury, Toney stood and replied: "Crown court."

Toney was released on unconditional bail. However, Judge Clarke warned him that a warrant would be issued for his arrest if he fails to appear at Southwark Crown Court at 9.30am on his trial date. Toney was formally charged on 31 July following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police. At the time of his charge, his spokesperson said Toney was "naturally shocked" but looked forward to clearing his name in court.

Record-breaking form in Saudi Arabia

The legal proceedings come during an exceptionally prolific spell for Toney in the Middle East. Just over a week after his court appearance, he was back in action for Al-Ahli, scoring his 11th goal of the Saudi Pro League season in a 4-0 victory over Al-Fateh at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Al-Ahsa.

His 60th-minute goal—a delicate chip over the goalkeeper after a clever first touch—took him six goals clear at the top of the league's scoring charts. According to local broadcasters, the strike also saw him equal a historic league record set by Syrian forward Omar Al-Soma in the 2016-17 season for the most goals scored in the opening eight rounds of the campaign.

Toney, who joined Al-Ahli from Brentford for £40 million in 2024, has won 10 caps for England. He was part of the squad that reached the Euro 2024 final and featured in the World Cup during the summer, appearing as a substitute in England's semi-final defeat to Argentina and starting in the third-place playoff victory over France.