Ivan Toney appears at Westminster court over alleged Soho nightclub assault

Ivan Toney appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning, charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he allegedly attacked a man at a Soho nightclub in central London on 6 December.

The 30-year-old Al-Ahli striker, from Northampton, is accused of assaulting Saber Da Silva at a venue on Wardour Street. Toney was formally charged on 31 July following a Metropolitan Police investigation. He arrived at court shortly after 9.30am, flanked by three members of his entourage, with his hearing scheduled for 10am.

Toney has denied the allegation. When news of the criminal case first emerged, a spokesperson 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 case comes at a difficult period for the striker’s international career. Toney represented England at this summer’s Euro 2024 and has earned 10 caps, scoring once, but was omitted from the most recent squad for four Nations League fixtures.

Toney began his career at Northampton Town before spells at Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United. He joined Brentford in 2020 and scored 72 goals across four seasons with the club before making a surprise move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in 2024.