Pictured: FA Cup and EFL assistant referee, 46, who has been ‘charged with child sex offence involving teenage girl’

Pictures have emerged of the FA Cup and EFL assistant referee charged with a child sex offence involving a teenage girl.

Gareth Viccars, 46, is accused of penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 and is due to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on March 7 to enter a plea.

He is currently remanded in custody after appearing at Willesden Magistrates Court last week.

Viccars has been part of the EFL panel of officials since 2018, and has been involved in FA Cup, Carabao Cup and EFL matches.

He was the assistant referee for AFC Wimbledon‘s League 2 clash with Sutton United in October 2022.

He was also on the touchline when Charlton hosted Burton Albion in March 2022, and for Mansfield’s match with Cambridge United in February 2021.

Viccars (left) has been an EFL official since 2018, but is currently suspended

Viccars won Referee of the Year at the Milton Keynes RA annual awards in June 2023

It is understood that Viccars has not officiated in an EFL game since March 5 last year.

He was suspended from work in August 2024 after the police launched an investigation into the allegations made against him.  

A spokesperson for referees’ body the PGMOL told Mail Sport: ‘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.’

Back in June 2023, Viccars was named Referee of the Year at the Milton Keynes RA annual awards.

However, 20 months on, he has now been accused of a serious sexual offence involving a minor.

Mail Sport has contacted the FA for comment.