ROME (AFP) - Former French World Cup and Euro winning captain Didier Deschamps said he agreed with the decision for matches to be played behind closed doors if the stadia did not meet with the requirements laid down by Italian law.

The Juventus coach admitted it would be a sad sight but given the events last Friday when an Italian policeman was murdered following rioting between rival supporters from Catania and Palermo there was no other option.

In the top-ranking Serie A, only Rome´s Olympic Stadium and the home grounds of Palermo, Siena and Torino meet the requirements introduced in 2005.

That means that some of Italy´s most famous clubs, including AC Milan and league leaders Inter Milan, will be forced to play behind closed doors until emergency renovations to bring their shared San Siro stadium into line with security requirements.

"To play in an empty stadium is very sad," said Deschamps.

"Football is a real spectacle and without spectators doesn´t make any sense.

"However if this decision provokes the stadia to being brought up to scratch then we have to accept it."

According to the Italian media Juventus´ stadium does meet the standards required.

Deschamps also agreed with the decision to halt all Italian football.

"Those scenes on Friday are totally unacceptable," said Deschamps, who captained France to both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 glory.

"It is the duty of the government and the clubs to guarantee the security of people who come to the stadia.

"It is not normal that those assisting at matches are at risk, whether it be a supporter or policeman.

"It is a good decision to have stopped the championships so we have time to take important decisions," added Deschamps, who enjoyed a successful spell with Juventus as a player.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is to decide when games can resume after Prime Minister Romano Prodi´s cabinet meets on Wednesday to discuss beefing-up the security measures.

The regulations - known as the "Decreto Pisanu" and introduced under the previous centre-right government - include CCTV, named tickets, automatic turnstiles, adequate stewarding, and the banning of racist banners as well as fireworks and flares.

The government said that in addition to clubs having to abide by the "Decreto Pisanu", other steps to improve security measures would be introduced immediately.

They include giving the police more powers of arrest and limiting the sales of tickets to away fans.

The Gazzetta dello Sport reported that only two out of 10 scheduled Serie A matches are likely to be played before crowds next weekend, should the government allow play to resume.

An autopsy on the police officer killed in the rioting, Filippo Raciti, showed the 38-year-old had received fatal injuries to his liver and abdomen, possibly from a thrown stone.