Notts County footballer Lee Hughes denied a sexual assault charge on Wednesday.
The striker was arrested after police were called to his team's hotel in Croydon, south London, on December 3.
Hughes, 35, was taken into custody following the alleged incident the night before his team's FA Cup fixture against Sutton United. He was released on bail before being charged at the end of last month.
He pleaded not guilty at the five-minute hearing at Croydon Magistrates' Court today and elected to be tried at a Crown Court.
Hughes, who wore a dark grey suit, white shirt and dark tie, showed no emotion as he sat in the dock.
Chairman of the bench Bill Whitmarsh granted Hughes unconditional bail.
The case was adjourned until a further hearing at the same court on March 21.
Hughes, of Waterside Way, Nottingham, is accused of sexually touching a woman at the Aerodrome Hotel, Purley Way, Croydon.
The footballer, who has previously played in the Premier League for West Brom, made no comment to reporters as he left the court.