Sir Bobby Robson has lent his support to calls for a greater respect for officials, insisting that dissent towards officials is "spoiling our game".

Robson, the former England and Newcastle manager, believes the current generation of players are ruining the sport through shows of petulance towards referees, with high-profile incidents involving Ashley Cole and Javier Mascherano doing nothing to improve the situation.

The Football Association have pledged to foster a culture of respect for officials and Robson believes the subject has come to light not a moment too soon.

"It's a very big problem at the moment. It has got worse and I think in a way it is not only down to the self-discipline of players - and that has to improve magically - but also down to the authority and clout of managers," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"Strong, tough managers will have no problems with disobedient players. But players have to show far more respect to referees

"I want to go back to the Bobby Charltons, the Bobby Moores, the Billy Wrights. These were very wonderful footballers but they also knew how to behave on the pitch.

"We must stamp out the awful disrespect which is ongoing and is spoiling our game."

Robson, 75, believes David Beckham is one of the exceptions and would be delighted to see the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder win his 100th cap against France on Wednesday.

"He's like Bobby Moore or Bobby Charlton or Billy Wright. Even like Peter Shilton, who won 125 caps, mostly under me.

"He's been a marvellous player for many years then left the country and did well at Real Madrid.

"He captained England on many occasions and performed magnificently in my opinion.

"He is a dead-ball artist, a magnificent crosser of the ball and he's a good boy as well."

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