England forward Ivan Toney pleads not guilty to charges of assault at a London nightclub incident

LONDON (AP) — England forward Ivan Toney denied assaulting a man at a Soho nightclub as he appeared in court Thursday to face the charge for the first time.

The former Brentford striker who now plays for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Arabian league appeared at at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The 30-year-old Toney is accused of headbutting and punching a man during a confrontation at a nightclub in central London, on Dec. 6 last year.

Toney pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.

A spokesperson for the player previously released a statement saying Toney “acknowledges the charge and although he is naturally shocked, he looks forward to being given the opportunity to clear his name in court.”

Toney was a member of the England team that finished in third place at the World Cup in July. He’s not on the current England team for a series of Nations League games.

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