Arsenal star Reiss Nelson is facing disruption to the start of next season after his trial over an alleged dangerous dog attack was delayed for a year.
The 23-year-old winger arrived at court on Monday morning expecting to stand trial over an alleged attack on his massage therapist at his north London home.
However the plan to hold the trial was abandoned as more evidence is being gathered, with the three-day case instead being re-set for August 12 next year.
This means the trial is likely to coincide with the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Nelson was in court on Monday, and after it became clear an adjournment was inevitable he asked for the case to be listed in June or July 2024 during the football summer break.
It is alleged Nelson was responsible for a dog attack on massage therapist Saeid Motaali on December 2, 2020.
The dog, Tiago, is said to have injured Mr Motaali’s foot. Nelson denies being in charge of a dog which caused injury whilst dangerously out of control.
The footballer’s trial had been shifted to the old Hendon magistrates court after potentially dangerous RAAC concrete was discovered at Harrow crown court.
The courthouse, which was built in 1991, has now been shut down for up to nine months so that repair work can be done to make the building safe.
Nelson, dressed all in black, used his arms to shield his face as he was escorted into court on Monday morning.
One member of his entourage had to stand for the hearing as the judge adjourned the case, after court staff tried to find extra chairs to accommodate press and public in the small courtroom.
Nelson played for Arsenal yesterday in his team’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United, coming on as a second half substitute.
