UEFA president Michel Platini has insisted the lack of respect shown to referees is a worldwide problem not confined to British football.
The most powerful man in European football can, however, understand why players react in the wrong manner to match officials.
With high-profile incidents involving Chelsea's Ashley Cole and Javier Mascherano of Liverpool last week, players are now under the microscope more than ever.
But Platini admits he, too, once had an attitude problem with officials when he was at the beginning of his career.
"It is not just England, it is the same all over the world of football," said Platini.
"I very much like the position of the referee. To me he is the leader on the pitch and he has to remain in control.
"But I remember when I was younger I had the same attitude towards the referee that we have seen recently.
"When the referee would allow me to do whatever I wanted at the beginning of my career it was not good for me, and especially not good for the spectators watching the game.
"I didn't respect that referee though.
"I then didn't speak to him until years later when I had a drink with him.
"But when the referee was able to tell me not to do something I respected them and I knew what I couldn't do and it makes the game better for everyone."
The charismatic president also described his desire to see home-grown players remain in their country for a considerable spell in their career.
At a time when many Premier League clubs are signing the best youngsters from South America and throughout Europe, Platini has described the issue as "my fight to educate the players".
He added: "We (UEFA) can't stop English clubs or anyone else from signing the players they want.
"But I would like to see clubs everywhere be able to keep the talent they have for a time but it is not easy to do that.
"That though, is my fight. We can try to educate the players."
The France legend was in Belfast for Northern Ireland's friendly with Georgia to present David Healy with a special award to celebrate his goalscoring feat in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
The Fulham striker bagged 13 goals, breaking Davor Suker's 12-year record.
"David Healy scored 13 goals and they were against big international associations.
"It is a very good achievement and I thought it was a good idea to show that UEFA thought this.
"I would though, it was my idea," he joked.
