![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")
Argentina forward Lionel Messi, 33, contacted Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola last week to tell him he wants to leave Barcelona. (Times – subscription required)
Manchester City would be willing to use Spanish defenders Eric Garcia, 19, and Angelino, 23, as makeweights in a deal for Messi, if they cannot sign him on a free transfer. (Manchester Evening News)
Manchester City are prepared to offer Barcelona £89.5m plus Garcia, Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, 26, and Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus, 23, for Messi. (Sport – in Spanish)
Real Madrid are set to demand more than 20m euros for 23-year-old Spanish left-back Sergio Reguilon, who has attracted interest from Manchester United, Tottenham, Juventus and Inter Milan while on loan at Sevilla. (Marca)
Chelsea are putting the finishing touches to a £90m move for 21-year-old Germany and Bayer Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz. (Guardian)
Arsenal are prepared to sell right-back Hector Bellerin to Juventus with new manager Andrea Pirlo making the Spain 25-year-old his top priority. (Corriere Dello Sport)
Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 38, has agreed a new one-year contract at AC Milan believed to be worth about £6m. (Sky Sports Italia – in Italian)
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 35, has settled any speculation about his future by saying he is preparing for a third season with Juventus. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish)
France forward Antoine Griezmann had decided to leave Barcelona before new coach Ronald Koeman convinced the 29-year-old to make a U-turn. (RMC Sport via Metro)
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is keen to swap Griezmann with Atletico Madrid and Portugal forward Joao Felix, 20. (Marca)
The arrival of 28-year-old Republic of Ireland full-back Matt Doherty at Tottenham from Wolves would pave the way for Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier, 27, to leave. (Standard)
Tottenham have rejected an opening bid from AC Milan for Serge Aurier, with Bayer Leverkusen also interested. (Sky Sports)
Manchester United have made an approach to sign Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali, 20, who is regarded as one of the best young prospects in Italy. (Corriere dello Sport via Metro)
Leicester are looking at Argentina and Ajax full-back Nicolas Tagliafico, 27, and Atalanta left-back Robin Gosens, 26, as potential replacements for Ben Chillwell, who left for Chelsea.(Sky Sports)
Newcastle have joined the list of Premier League sides interested in a move for 20-year-old Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster. (Chronicle)
Representatives of Norwegian defender Kristoffer Ajer, 22, and French midfielder Olivier Ntcham, 24, have asked Celtic for valuations, before potential moves away. (Sky Sports)
