Madrid, May 12 (EFE).- Uefa on Wednesday said it would conduct a disciplinary investigation to see whether Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus had breached the footballing body's legal framework with their plans for a breakaway Super League.

The three giants of European football are the only remaining clubs still pushing for the exclusive league. A strong fan backlash, particularly in England, saw the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United drop out of the proposal.

"UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have today been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA's legal framework by Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona and Juventus FC in connection with the so-called 'Super League' project," Uefa said in a brief statement.

The 12 founding members of the Super League originally comprised Spain's Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid; England's Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, and Italy's Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan.

In a joint statement issued over the weekend, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus defended the need for the Super League despite the "threats" issued by Uefa.

They said the league was designed "with the aim of providing solutions to the current unsustainable situation in the football industry" and "to bring financial stability to the entire European football family, currently under the effects of a deep crisis that threatens the survival of many clubs."

UEFA on Friday said it had begun "reintegration measures" for the nine clubs that had pulled out of the Super League plans but that the three remaining clubs would be referred to disciplinary bodies.

The announcement of the Super League on 18 April caused a huge stir in European football, sparking immediate legal threats from Uefa and Fifa, while in England, thousands of fans have held protests. EFE

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