![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
Chelsea and Newcastle United are among the Premier League clubs who have been alerted to the possibility of signing Belgium forward Eden Hazard, 30, from Real Madrid in January. (ESPN)
Newcastle’s new owners have identified Watford’s Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr, 23, as an early transfer target. (Mail)
Newcastle’s hopes of signing Barcelona’s 24-year-old French forward Ousmane Dembele have received a boost as the La Liga club will need to pay former boss Ronald Koeman £10m following his dismissal. (Express)
Manchester United would have to pay manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer £7.5m if they decide to sack the Norwegian. (Sun)
United are losing interest in appointing former Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte as Solskjaer’s replacement because of how much the Italian would cost. (Star)
West Ham are understood to be in talks with Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky over the potential sale of a 27% stake in the club, with a view to a possible full takeover in the future. (Sky Sports)
Manchester City made an approach to sign Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan last year prior to the 28-year-old’s move to Premier League rivals Chelsea in August, the player’s agent says. (Telegraph)
Arsenal could face competition from Barcelona in their bid to sign Manchester City’s England forward Raheem Sterling. (Football.London)
The Gunners are also monitoring the situation of Borussia Monchengladbach’s 24-year-old Swiss midfielder Denis Zakaria, who could be available on a free transfer next year. (Sun)
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has asked Chelsea’s hierarchy to sign another forward in January to ease the pressure on Lukaku. (Transfer Window Podcast via Express)
Southampton and England midfielder James Ward-Prowse is a target for Newcastle United in the January transfer window, despite the 26-year-old signing a new deal with the Saints in the summer. (Football Insider)
Manchester United’s Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek, 24, and Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly, 27, have been seeking assurances over their futures at the club. (Sun)
Tottenham are open to letting England midfielder Dele Alli, 25, leave the club in January. (Athletic – subscription required)
Chelsea are confident Denmark defender Andreas Christensen, 25, will sign a new long-term contract at Stamford Bridge. (Football Insider)
Juventus have joined the race to sign Red Bull Salzburg’s 19-year-old German forward Karim Adeyemi. (Calciomercato – in Italian)
