Platini is to head a top-level inspection visit to the two eastern European countries next week, and will focus on the stadiums in Warsaw and Kiev.

Work has not even started on the new stadium in the Polish capital, while contractors have not been appointed yet for the major refurbishment of the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Platini, speaking in Vienna, denied however that Italy have already been lined up as replacements.

He said: "We will do everything we can to hold it in Poland or Ukraine.

"There is no back-up plan, we have never had any second thoughts or other thoughts and we respect our decision to go to Poland and Ukraine.

"The only thing which would make me decide not to go is if there is no stadiums in the capitals, Warsaw and Kiev. If there are no stadiums there, no tournament."

It now looks as if Ukraine and Poland face a major battle to convince UEFA, but Italy would not be a straightforward alternative - they too would have to have a major stadium development programme.

The only countries with ready-made stadium facilities are England, Germany, Spain and Portugal.