England’s Ivan Toney to stand trial during Euro 2028 after denying assault charge

Ivan Toney has in effect been ruled out of Euro 2028 after his trial for assault occasioning actual bodily harm was scheduled for 12 June 2028.

Toney appeared at Southwark crown court and stood in the dock to confirm a not guilty plea. The striker is accused of head-butting and punching Saber Da Silva at a Soho nightclub on 6 December last year.

Setting the trial date for 20 months’ time, Judge Hehir apologised to Toney for the delay. “That’s a long way, I’m sorry about that,” he said. “As you may know, the crown courts are operating under a great deal of pressure.” Toney – wearing a black button-up cardigan, white shirt and tie – was told he was in a queue of defendants awaiting crown court trials.