A Football League assistant referee has been charged with 16 child sex offences, including sexual activity with a child.
Gareth Viccars, 46, has been remanded in custody ahead of his trial later this year.
The official, who has worked in League One and League Two matches since 2018, will face court on September 22.
The trial is scheduled to take place at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London.
Gareth Viccars, 46, faces one charge of penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15 (stock image)PAViccars was suspended from officiating after the allegations came to light, with his last appointment to games being in March last year.
The charges against Viccars include 12 counts of sexual activity with a child.
He also faces two counts of sexual communication with a child, one count of meeting a child following sexual grooming, and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
In February, Viccars was initially charged with penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15.
This charge now forms part of the current 16 offences against him.
Outside of his officiating career, Viccars most recently worked as an estate agent.
In June 2023, he was named Referee of the Year at the Milton Keynes RA annual awards.
Viccars has been part of the EFL panel of officials since 2018, serving as an assistant or fourth official.
He has officiated in FA Cup ties in the earlier rounds of the competition and Football League Trophy games.
Previously, he worked as a referee in Premier League 2, which is chiefly an under-21s competition.
He was the assistant referee for AFC Wimbledon's League 2 clash with Sutton United in October 2022.
Gareth Viccars will face court on September 22. (stock image)
PAViccars was also on the touchline when Charlton hosted Burton Albion in March 2022, and for Mansfield's match with Cambridge United in February 2021.
As far back as the 2015-16 season, he was officiating in the Premier League 2.
A spokesperson for Professional Game Match Officials Ltd said: "As soon as the allegations came to light, Mr Viccars was immediately suspended."
The statement continued: "As the matter is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, we are not in a position to comment any further."
PGMOL is owned by the Premier League, Football League and the Football Association.
The organisation is responsible for organising officials for the top five tiers of the English game.
This includes the National League that feeds into League Two.
Viccars was suspended from his duties in August 2024 after police launched an investigation into the allegations made against him.