![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")
Netherlands have appointed Louis van Gaal as the new head coach replacing Frank de Boer who resigned last month after a last-16 defeat by the Czech Republic at Euro 2020.
This is Van Gaal’s third time in charge of the Dutch team. He was in charge of the side from 2000-2002 and from 2012-2014.
The 69-year-old has not managed since being sacked by Manchester United in 2016 and said it was an “honour” to return to the Dutch team.
“Dutch football has always been close to my heart and coaching the national team is a key position for moving our football forward,” said Van Gaal.
The Netherlands have three World Cup qualifying matches in September when they will hope to rebuild from their unsuccessful Euro campaign.
“There is little time until the next qualifiers so the focus is therefore immediately 100% on players and what approach we will take,” said Van Gaal.
Van Gaal has won over 20 major honours, including a Champions League with Ajax and league titles with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil he guided the Netherlands to a third-place finish, before joining Manchester United where he won the FA Cup.
Dutch Football Association director Nico-Jan Hoogma said as the team had “little preparation time” for their qualifiers, they “were looking for a coach with exceptional qualities… and for whom coaching the national team does not hold any secrets”.
“With his experience and record at the highest level, we identified Louis van Gaal,” he added.
Since Van Gaal quit in 2014, the Dutch have had seven different coaches including Guus Hiddink, Danny Blind, Dick Advocaat and Ronald Koeman.
