Soccer-England striker Toney pleads not guilty to assault at London nightclub

Soccer Football - Ivan Toney appears at Westminster Magistrates charged with assault - Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, Britain - October 1, 2026 Footballer Ivan Toney arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court following his charge of alleged assault in a nightclub in London the previous year Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

LONDON, Oct ⁠1 (Reuters) - England striker Ivan ⁠Toney pleaded not guilty on ‌Thursday to a charge of assault at a Soho nightclub in December, ​British media reported.

Toney, 30, ⁠denied a ⁠single count of assault occasioning actual ⁠bodily ‌harm over an incident on Wardour Street ⁠on December 6, 2025, when ​he ‌appeared at London's Westminster Magistrates' ⁠Court.

A spokesperson ​for Toney, who plays for Saudi Pro League club ⁠Al-Ahli, previously said he ​was shocked by having been charged, but looked forward to "being given ⁠the opportunity to clear his name in court".

Toney was in the England squad for ​the 2026 World ⁠Cup, though the former Brentford ​striker was little ‌used by coach Thomas ​Tuchel.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Andrew Heavens)