![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-300x200.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool after the Africa Cup of Nations group games to receive treatment for his muscular injury.
Salah limped off during Egypt’s 2-2 tie with Ghana on Thursday and will miss their final Group B match against Cape Verde on Monday, as well as the last 16 and quarterfinals, provided the record seven-time Afcon champions go that far.
In a statement on Sunday, the Egyptian FA said, “After additional examinations were conducted on Mohamed Salah during the last hours, and after communication between the national team’s medical staff and his counterpart at Liverpool FC, it was decided that the player will return to England after the Cape Verde match tomorrow to complete his treatment, with the hope that he will join the national team in the semi-final of the AFCON if we qualify.”
Reacting, Klopp clarified that the plan is for Salah to return from Ivory Coast to ensure he receives the best medical treatment.
“If that’s already decided 100%, I don’t know, but that’s the plan,” the Liverpool manager said.
“I think it probably makes sense for everybody if he does the rehab with us or with our people. That’s the plan.
”If that is written in stone already, I don’t know. I have spoken with him [Salah] directly after pretty much the night when it happened but since then he is in contact with our doctor [Jonathan Power].” Klopp added.
Despite missing Salah, Jürgen Klopp’s side moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win at Bournemouth, courtesy of two second-half goals apiece from Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota.
