EFL assistant referee, 46, charged with child sex offence
An assistant referee for the English Football League has been charged with a child sex offence.
Gareth Viccars will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on March 7 where a plea will be entered regarding one charge of penetrative sexual activity with a girl, aged 13-15.
Viccars, 46, who has officiated in the EFL, and both the FA Cup and EFL Cup, since 2018, was suspended in August following the launch of a police investigation into the accusations against him.
He appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court last week and has been remanded in custody.
A spokesperson for Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, said: 'As soon as the allegations came to light, Mr Viccars was immediately suspended.
'As the matter is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, we are not in a position to comment any further.'
According to his profile on worldfootball.net, Viccars' most recent game was AFC Wimbledon's League Two match against Grimsby Town on March 5 last year.
Prior to becoming an official in the EFL, he officiated for almost three years in the Premier League 2 competition, which takes place between clubs' Under-21 teams.
While pursuing a career as an assistant referee, Viccars also worked as an office manager for an estate agent, having previously set up an IT company.
The Football Association has been approached for comment.
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