![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")
Liverpool will face competition from Juventus and Real Madrid for the signature of 25-year-old Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans, whose Leicester contract expires at the end of the season. (Calciomercato – in Italian)
Former Olympiacos coach Pedro Martins is likely to be a strong contender to replace Bruno Lage as Wolves manager, while Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui could be considered and Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou has been discussed. (Telegraph – subscription required)
Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is also among the contenders for the Wolves job, though it would cost the club £20m in compensation. (Sun)
Sevilla and Valencia are interested in signing 26-year-old France forward Anthony Martial from Manchester United. (Todofichajes – in Spanish)
UAE side Sharjah FC have expressed an interest in signing Everton striker Salomon Rondon, though the 33-year-old Venezuela international looks likely to stay at Goodison Park. (Liverpool Echo)
Reims want to turn their season-long loan of Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, 21, into a permanent move. (Ekrem Konur)
Chelsea wanted to keep news that Christopher Nkunku had already had a medical with the club a secret as they have yet to agree a fee with RB Leipzig for the 24-year-old France forward. (Fabrizio Romano)
Arsenal could face competition from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain for 22-year-old Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. (Il Bianconero – in Italian)
Manchester United failed in a bid to sign Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli, 24, from Juventus over the summer. (Sport Mediaset – in Italian)
Arsenal have enquired about signing Locatelli in the January transfer window. (Calciomercato – in Italian)
Tottenham’s Brazilian winger Lucas Moura, 30, will be a target for Sevilla in the January transfer window. (Vamos Mi Sevilla – in Spanish)
