ROME (AFP) - AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini has expressed his fear that Italian teams would be forced to play behind closed doors as punishment for recent football violence.

All matches in Italy have been halted indefinitely after a policeman was killed in a football riot in Sicily on Friday.

But Maldini fears that being forced to play in an empty stadium would herald the death of the game.

"Playing without spectators would be an absurd solution," said Maldini Monday.

"I´d prefer that the suspension be extended for an additional week. Playing behind closed doors is the death of football and the most frustrating thing a player can endure, even if it´s obvious that something has to be done."

No date has been given for the return of Serie A, but press reports estimate it could return behind closed doors from February 11 or 18.

"In the past there have been similar situations but today the reactions are different. The suspension of the championship and the national team are strong signals," said Maldini.

"From now on it should be tolerance zero. But we should also have more preventative measures," added the 38-year-old defender.