Toney's EURO 2028 hopes ended as assault trial date clashes with tournament

Ivan Toney’s prospects of representing England at EURO 2028 have been effectively extinguished after Southwark Crown Court set his assault trial for June 12, 2028 — a date that falls squarely in the group stage of the home tournament. The Al-Ahli striker, 30, appeared in the dock on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The charge relates to an incident at a Soho nightclub in London in December 2025, in which Toney is accused of punching and headbutting a man. At an earlier hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in October, prosecutor Tom Heslop told the court that Toney and the alleged victim, Saber Da Silva, exchanged words before Toney “lunged forward and head-butted the complainant, followed by a few punches.” Da Silva is alleged to have suffered injuries to his nose and fingers. Toney requested the case be heard at a crown court after entering his not-guilty plea.

Judge Hehir apologised to Toney for the near two-year wait, citing the pressure on the court system. Toney was released on unconditional bail but instructed to remain in regular contact with his legal team. The judge also issued the standard formal warning to any defendant on bail about the consequences of failing to attend court.

The scheduling effectively closes the door on Toney’s international future. He has earned just 10 caps for England and was included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, partly on the strength of his penalty-taking ability. Tuchel is expected to remain in charge for EURO 2028, but Toney will not be available for selection. Questions about whether his move to the Saudi Pro League would count against him with England selectors are now moot.

Toney joined Al-Ahli from Brentford in 2024, becoming one of the most prominent players to make the switch to Saudi Arabia with significant football still ahead of him. He has thrived in the league and played a central role as Al-Ahli won back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles in 2024/25 and 2025/26, featuring in both finals under manager Matthias Jaissle. He has not been called up by England since the World Cup.