The idea that referees can never truly understand professional football because they haven’t played it themselves is a theory often bandied about by former stars. The emotion of the situation, the context, the frustrations that often boil over, managers are regularly questioned on how they can interpret intense moments when they have never been in the heat of the action themselves. .

Well, that’s a theory that former MLS and Championship star Chris Birchall is determined to put to the test.

The midfielder, who won 44 caps for Trinidad and Tobago, featured at the 2006 World Cup and can boast of replacing David Beckham on his LA Galaxy debut in 2009.

And now the 40-year-old wants to return to the professional game as a man in the middle. He announced the news on social media and included a tongue-in-cheek call out to Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who has never been shy about expressing his opinion on refereeing decisions or the use of VAR.

“I am delighted to accept a three-year contract offer from PGMOL to become one of the first former players to make the transition to professional refereeing!” Birchall wrote on X. “Many thanks to the PFA and Premier League and the PGMOL for this opportunity. Gary Neville, don’t be skeptical, be very excited.

The PFA account responded by congratulating him on joining the “Player to Match Official” program. And he has since changed his account bio to “Former professional footballer turned referee.” Contract of the PGMOL player towards the referee.

Birchall will now embark on a fast-track route to refereeing and could technically be qualified to take charge of Premier League matches as early as 2027. His announcement was met with a wave of positivity online, with many expressing hope that He would now be a “pioneer” who will pave the way for other retired players to follow suit.

The idea of ​​professional players returning to the highest level as referees is almost non-existent, prompting PGMOL chief Howard Webb to launch a new program last year. In partnership with the FA, PFA and Premier League, it announced a fast-track program to enable former stars to become qualified officials.

Despite never playing in England’s top flight, Birchall’s career is remarkable enough to potentially serve as an example for those wishing to follow suit. He retired in 2016 after a second spell at Port Vale, having made 322 career club appearances and scoring 21 goals.

Having started at Vale Park in the 2001/02 campaign, Birchall played in the Championship for Coventry City. He also spent time on loan for St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership and represented Brighton before moving to Los Angeles in 2009.

There, he helped Beckham and his colleagues win an MLS Cup, two Supporters’ Shield titles and the Western Conference championship. After a year with Columbus Crew, he returned to Port Vale and was part of the team that achieved promotion from League Two in the 2012/13 season.