From the Saudi Pro League to Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Ivan Toney’s October has taken an unexpected turn in London. The Al Ahli forward has entered a not-guilty plea to an assault charge arising from an alleged incident at a Soho nightclub last December, and will remain on bail before his case returns to court.
A hearing in central London
Toney, 30, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday in connection with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The allegation concerns an incident on Wardour Street, in Soho, on 6 December 2025.
- The England international denied the charge in court.
- He has been granted bail while proceedings continue.
- The first trial hearing has been scheduled for 29 October.
- A representative for Toney had said earlier that the player was surprised by the accusation and looked forward to the chance to clear his name in court.
Al Ahli forward’s England return
The case comes after a year in which Toney returned to the international stage at the 2026 World Cup. He featured only at the closing end of England’s tournament under Thomas Tuchel, appearing for one minute in the 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina.
Toney then started England’s third-place match against France, playing 69 minutes as the Three Lions won 6-4. Those appearances took his senior England record to 10 caps and one goal.
A career spanning Northampton, Brentford and Jeddah
Born in Northampton, Toney began in the academy of his hometown club before joining Newcastle United in 2015. His time on Tyneside included a series of loan moves, before his career found firmer ground at Brentford, where he played from 2020 until 2024.
He now plays in Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli, having moved from English football to Jeddah’s league and its growing international cast.
Previous disciplinary ban
This is not Toney’s first encounter with a major football-related sanction. In 2023, the Premier League imposed an eight-month playing ban after he breached betting regulations.
The present matter is separate from that suspension. Toney has denied the criminal allegation, with the next stage of the case set for 29 October.
