ZAGREB - UEFA have admitted to worries over the lack of progress made by Euro 2012 hosts Poland and Ukraine but played down suggestions the tournament could be moved elsewhere.
European football's governing body cited the political problems in both countries - who were named joint hosts in April last year - as the cause of the delays and called for their respective governments to act.
"We had an independent report done and we also sent experts out to these countries because we were concerned at the slow progress we had observed, mainly caused by the political situation in both countries," said UEFA general secretary David Taylor shortly after an executive committee in Zagreb on Wednesday.
"In the last six months, there has been political instability due to elections.
"We have a need to see a true government mobilisation in terms of the significant infrastructure deficits which are in Poland and Ukraine, in terms of stadia, transport system, accommodations and health system.
"We have concerns because of the time scale involved. Four years might seem a long time but not for the changes that need to take place."
Awarding the tournament to Poland and Ukraine was a surprise move by UEFA as neither country has hosted a major footballing event before.
Euro 2012 will also be the first time since its inception in 1960 that a European Championship takes place in eastern Europe.
"We made an important decision back in April for the tournament to go east," said Taylor.
"It was important for UEFA, for football and for these countries.
"Our total focus is on assisting these countries. We must make sure the event lives up to the standards we expect. We are certainly in no position at this stage to consider alternatives at all."
Senior officials from the Polish Football Federation and the Ukraine Football Association supremo were present at Wednesday's meeting and have accepted UEFA's plan as a way to proceed.
"Now that we have commitments, we need to go full steam ahead," said Taylor. "Shortly after the end of Euro 2008, we will be able to review the progress made for the 2012 European Championships.
"Over the next six months we need to see major steps forward. We will monitor the situation, we need to accelerate preparations. We need actions to make sure the preparations are on track.
"I reiterate that we have a plan to go forward and if we can implement that plan we will not think about anything else."
Should Poland and Ukraine fail to satisfy a review in six months' time, Taylor admitted UEFA might consider moving the tournament elsewhere.
However, Italy, who finished runners-up in the bid to host the event, would not get priority.
"We would have to take look at a fresh situation," he said. "We would be in an unusual position. But it's not a case if number one can do it, then number two will do it or number three. That is not what we expect to happen."
