President of UEFA Michel Platini prompted the International community to support Ukraine and Poland in organizing Euro 2012 despite doubts the ex-communist states, especially Ukraine, are able to do so.

Platini, quoted by the Ukrinform news agency while visiting Italy reported such common support was vital "in order to introduce the democratic decision made by the UEFA executive committee to hold Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine".

UEFA chose the joint bid last year over submissions from Italy and another joint proposition from Hungary and Croatia.

Platini has visited Ukraine twice this year and had talks with the Ukrainian officials that the next few months were critical in moving ahead with preparations.

He noted after talks in Kyiv this month that a UEFA executive meeting in September would create a final assessment.

UEFA officials have denied suggestions that contingency plans have been drawn up to hand the tournament to another country if Ukraine proves unable to meet requirements.

In his latest interview, Platini denied a suggestion that such plans might involve Italy being asked to step in to run the tournament.

"Italy will probably desire to stage the tournament in 2016," he reported, but added that the country's stadiums were "not the best condition in Europe, old and not especially beautiful".

One of the key issues dogging Ukrainian organizers is the renovation of Kyiv's 85 000-seat Olympic stadium, due to hold the Euro 2012 final.

A Taiwanese company won a tender earlier this year to modernize the facilities, but Ukrainian officials have since terminated all dealings with the company and reopened the bidding to German firm GMP and Britain's Foster and Partners.