{
  "id": 17191897,
  "title": "Toney pleads not guilty to assault, trial set for 2028",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/toney-pleads-not-guilty-to-assault-trial-set-for-2028",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T07:12:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/toney-pleads-not-guilty-to-assault-trial-set-for-2028/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ivan Toney, a 30-year-old England striker, appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting a man in a London nightclub. The alleged incident occurred on December 6 last year at a nightspot on Wardour Street. Toney, who plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and previously represented England at the World Cup, will face a trial in 2028. During a five-minute hearing at Southwark Crown Court, Toney formally entered a not guilty plea to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, following a confrontation. Judge Christopher Hehir set a provisional trial date for June 12, 2028, expressing regret over the lengthy delay due to the court's heavy workload. Toney was released on unconditional bail. The Euro 2028 soccer tournament, held from June 9 to July 9, will be co-hosted by England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.",
  "summary": "England striker Ivan Toney appeared in court yesterday and pleaded not guilty after being accused of headbutting and punching a man at a nightclub in London last year. The 30-year-old Toney, who represented England at the World Cup last summer and plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, will face a trial in 2028 during the … The post Toney pleads not guilty to assault, trial set for 2028 appeared…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ivan Toney pleads not guilty to assault charge.",
    "Trial date set for June 12, 2028.",
    "Charges stem from December 6 nightclub incident."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The lengthy delay in scheduling the trial reflects the heavy workload within the court system and forces a protracted legal process for the professional striker.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "England soccer player Ivan Toney pleads not guilty to assault and trial set for June",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/england-soccer-player-ivan-toney-pleads-not-guilty-to-assault-and",
        "published": "2026-10-29T11:23:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "England and Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney pleads not guilty to club assault",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/england-and-al-ahli-striker-ivan-toney-pleads-not-guilty-to-club",
        "published": "2026-10-29T12:10:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}