Around the world: Spain

UEFA officials yesterday brushed off the latest speculation about Euro 2012, denying that Spain had been approached as a possible replacement host if problems persisted with Poland and Ukraine.

The co-hosts face huge challenges in upgrading road and rail links, along with modernising airports and building hotels. Concerns have grown in particular over delays in rebuilding Kiev's Olympic stadium.

In January, UEFA president Michel Platini said the next few months would be "crucial in order to avoid any critical slippage in sports and public infrastructure projects and to protect the global credibility of the Euro project."

The Kiev stadium issue could lead to Ukraine losing the right to co-host the tournament, a senior Ukrainian soccer federation official was quoted as telling a newspaper on Thursday.

A report in Spanish newspaper ABC on Saturday said that in the course of regular meetings, Platini had asked Spanish federation officials whether they would be able to step in as replacement hosts.

"I know absolutely nothing about such a meeting," UEFA director of communications William Gaillard told a news conference on Saturday.

Scotland, who failed with a bid with Ireland to host Euro 2008, have said they might be willing to step in.