In February, after a particularly fractious game against Manchester United, Everton boss David Moyes said "referees really don't want to get involved in any of it".
It is a two-way street, of course. Managers and players have their own responsibility for the way they behave and the tactics they use.
So what can the Premier League do about it? It has promised an "enhanced recognition of clear holding actions".
But has the World Cup created unrealistic expectations?
BBC Sport understands Premier League referees will not take the same hard-line approach.
The Germany and Spain goals would still not be disallowed were they scored in the Premier League.
Physicality is important to the English game, but there is still a feeling among officials that what happened last season cannot continue.
"There is a line in between where they can manage it a little bit better," former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta told BBC One.
"In England especially, you have more contact - you are used to it. There is something in between where everybody can feel a bit happier."
Fans are always sceptical about any new initiative at the start of a season, with many thinking it will last a few weeks before drifting away.
Collina believes the only way to get results is to be strict - to lay out the situation to coaches and be ready to enforce the rules when necessary.
But with only one VAR penalty awarded for holding - given by the Premier League's Jarred Gillett when Croatia faced Portugal - has this really been tested?
Are coaches at the World Cup reacting to Collina's warnings and toning down their tactics. Or are they simply not giving corners quite the same focus as club managers?
Premier League referees cannot weigh in with a raft of penalties in the first few weeks of the season as that would be unsustainable.
The counter argument is it would change behaviour - but it is unlikely the media narrative would work in the referees' favour.
Collina's approach is perhaps OK over a 104-game tournament in which most teams will only play about four matches.
It's a very different proposition for a full domestic campaign.
Coaches will always be looking for the marginal gain - ways to push the boundaries to score a crucial goal. And tweaking their routines week to week.
Premier League referees need to find a way to find a reset while respecting the physical nature of the game.
It is not easy.
