The Italians were the favourites to host the competition, but lost out to a joint bid from Poland and Ukraine.

Preparations for the tournament have been fraught with difficulties, including massive delays in building work in Ukraine and now a row with the Polish Federation.

UEFA and FIFA have set a deadline for Monday to have two suspended Federation figures reinstated to the PZPN, but that infuriated the Poles.

"The talks between the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and the Polish Football Union will not be resumed until FIFA retracts its ultimatum," said senior Polish sports ministry official Adam Giersz to the Polish PAP news agency.

Poland have also been threatened with a two-match ban from World Cup qualifiers scheduled for October 11 and 15.

The chaos began when the PZPN board was deposed and new administrator Robert Zawlocki put in charge by an arbitration court.

"The arbitration tribunal appointed me and only it has the power to remove me," he added.

UEFA, led by Michel Platini (pictured), and FIFA are refusing to recognise Zawlocki and warned the situation could cost them the rights to host Euro 2012.

"Our patience has its limits and we are close to them,” snapped UEFA director of communications William Gaillard.

"One of the conditions of allowing Ukraine and Poland to host Euro 2012 was that both football federations had good relations with their respective governments. In Poland, this condition has not been met.

"The dismissal of Polish football federation officials and the appointment of an administrator is intolerable government intervention, and, moreover, the government has cancelled the federation's elections.

"UEFA will be in solidarity with the ultimatum fixed by FIFA for Monday, October 6. If Poland complies, everything will be in order, if not, we will prepare ourselves to make sanctions.”

With Ukraine also struggling to meet the deadlines for building work on stadiums, it is possible Italy will be handed the Euro 2012 hosting duties as runners-up in the vote.

Other options include giving the tournament to Spain, England or 2006 World Cup hosts Germany.