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MELBOURNE - Former New Zealand international Maia Jackman said Saudi sponsorship of the Women's World Cup would be in "complete opposition" to female empowerment and set back her work as an ambassador for the tournament.

Australia and New Zealand, co-hosts of this year's World Cup, wrote to global soccer governing body FIFA on Wednesday seeking urgent clarification after The Guardian reported Visit Saudi will be named as a major sponsor of the tournament.

Leeds United have signed United States midfielder Weston McKennie on loan until the end of the season from Juventus, the Premier League club said on Monday.

The 24-year-old has made nearly 100 appearances for the Serie A team since joining in 2020, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists. He has won the 2020 Italian Super Cup and 2021 Coppa Italia with Juve.

Top soccer reporter Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Saturday that Weston McKennie will leave Juventus for the rest of the season to join Leeds United on loan. The move does include the option for Leeds to buy McKennie permanently.

The loan move cost Leeds roughly $1.3 million and the set option to buy price is $35.8 million.

MILAN - Shares in Juventus tumbled some 10% on Monday after Italian soccer authorities docked the club 15 points for its transfer dealings, in a blow to its reputation and short-term sporting prospects.

Juventus, who have won the Italian league more times than any other club, are now 9th in the Serie A standings and face an uphill struggle to qualify for lucrative European competition.

Juventus drew 3-3 with Atalanta on Sunday night in their home city of Turin in their first game since the punishment was announced late on Friday.

ROME — Juventus have been deducted 15 points for the current season by an Italian soccer court investigating its transfer dealings, the national soccer federation (FIGC) said on Friday.

With 20 games left to play in this season, Juve were third in Serie A, 10 points adrift of leaders Napoli. The points deduction would push them down into mid-table, outside the spots for European competition.

Barcelona forward Memphis Depay appeared to be on the verge of joining Atlético Madrid as he was spotted wearing the club's colors while training under manager Diego Simeone on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Dutch international has been linked with a move to Atlético for the last few days, with several reports by the Spanish media suggesting that the deal was close to be done.

It's been confirmed that Colombian forward Jhon Durán has completed a move to Aston Villa in the Premier League for a potential transfer fee of $22 million. The 19-year-old made 27 appearances during his time with the Chicago Fire, scoring eight goals including a spectacular brace against Toronto FC. 

Durán is now the second teenager to make the switch from the Fire to the Premier League following his former teammate Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina, who currently plays for Chelsea.