PARIS, Feb 9: UEFA president Michel Platini wants referees to have the authority to stop matches when violence breaks out in the stands.

Speaking in an interview to be aired on France 24 television Friday evening, Platini called such authority a “very good” idea.

He said referees should consult with security officials and team officials before halting a game.

“If you stop a match in the 30th minute with 100,000 spectators in the stadium, you must manage their exit, and that's not easy,” he said, according to transcripts of the interview.

Platini's election came days before a policemen was killed by rioting fans in Italy last week.

“I am for zero tolerance,” he said in the interview. “I find it too bad to always punish the clubs when it is the people who create the problems. We should hold fans responsible or ban them completely.”

Platini also expressed opposition to soccer clubs floating on the stock market.—AP