England striker Ivan Toney pleads not guilty to Soho nightclub assault

England forward Ivan Toney has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault arising from an incident at a Soho nightclub last year, multiple British outlets reported on Thursday.

According to the reports, Toney, who plays for the England national team, is accused of attacking a man at a club on Wardour Street in Soho. The Independent named the alleged victim as Saber Da Silva. The allegation is said to relate to an incident in December, according to the Daily Maverick.

Court plea and allegations

Media organisations reported that Toney, 30, entered a plea of not guilty to the assault allegation. The Independent described the accused as a 30-year-old footballer and identified the location of the alleged incident as a nightclub on Wardour Street in Soho. The Daily Maverick reported the timing of the alleged incident as December.

The BBC also reported that Toney denied the accusation. Details beyond the plea—such as further court scheduling, legal representation comments, or the exact nature of the alleged assault—were not provided in the reports.

Context and immediate implications

Toney's not-guilty plea comes amid public interest because he is an international footballer for England. The reports did not describe any disciplinary action by his club or football authorities, nor did they indicate any civil claims connected to the matter.

At this stage, the available reports limit coverage to the allegation, the location and timing given by some sources, the identity of the alleged victim as reported by the Independent, and Toney's formal denial. No guilty finding has been reported and the matter remains before the courts.

Further developments — including any court hearings, statements from Toney, his legal team, the alleged victim, police or football bodies — were not included in the reports and would be needed to provide a fuller account of the case and any potential consequences for the player.