From Beckham to bookings: Meet the ex-pro footballer taking up refereeing

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Former Trinidad and Tobago international Chris Birchall played with David Beckham at LA Galaxy and against England at the 2006 World Cup. But after retiring from professional football in 2016, he's swapped crosses for cards as he aims to re-take to the football field in a different guise. To celebrate International Referees' Day, Sportshour's Caroline Barker spoke to Chris about his refereeing and a new programme in England that could take past and current players all the way to officiating in the English Premier League. Photo: David Beckham and Chris Birchall of the Los Angeles Galaxy pose for a portrait following the 2011 MLS Cup at The Home Depot Centre on November 20, 2011 in Carson, California. (Credit: Getty Images)