Keith Hackett believes that Cristiano Ronaldo has stopped diving because referees spoke to Manchester United and the Portugal winger about his behaviour.

The general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, speaking at a lecture he gave on the benefits of professional referees to his Portuguese counterparts in Oporto yesterday, said that it showed how the conduct of players could be improved with discourse.

“A year ago Ronaldo, a phenomenal talent, spent more time on the floor than playing football and he fell down whenever there was a gust of wind — as did Didier Drogba,” Hackett said. “The referees talked about the subject and since then he has spent less time on the floor. It is an example of the success that can be achieved by players and officials talking.”

Ronaldo was, however, accused by Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, of diving to win a penalty during United’s 2-1 victory at the Riverside Stadium last month. Ronaldo insisted that diving was no longer part of his game.

In April, Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, revealed that he had contacted Hackett to express his belief that Ronaldo is the victim of prejudice among referees, who, he claims, fail to protect him because of his reputation for diving.

“They’re kicking lumps, but you find referees saying, ‘Oh, it’s only Ronaldo’,” Ferguson said. “I brought it to the attention of Hackett and he did nothing.”