![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")
Chelsea have also joined Tottenham in the race to sign English midfielder Archie Gray, 18, from Leeds. (Telegraph – subscription required)
Manchester City failed in a late move to hijack 22-year-old forward Michael Olise’s move to Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace. (Football Insider)
Paris St-Germain will consider making a move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and could step up their pursuit if they receive encouragement that the 26-year-old England international is open to joining them. (Talksport)
Chelsea have contacted Leicester City about signing 25-year-old English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who is understood to only want to move to the Blues if he leaves the Foxes. (Athletic – subscription required)
Brighton had agreed a swap deal with Leicester City for Dewsbury-Hall which involved Poland midfielder Jakub Moder and a fee for the Foxes, prior to Chelsea showing an interest. (Fabrizio Romano)
Brentford are also interested in Dewsbury-Hall, who is valued at about £40m by Leicester City. (Mail)
Chelsea have emerged as strong contenders to sign England defender Lucy Bronze, 32, following her departure from Barcelona. (Guardian)
Chelsea want Nottingham Forest’s 21-year-old Brazilian defender Murillo, who the City Ground side value at £70m, and could offer English centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, 24, as part of any deal. (Guardian)
Clubs in America’s National Women’s Soccer League are also interested in signing Bronze. (ESPN)
Manchester United’s English forward Mason Greenwood is thought to prefer a move to Marseille over his other options, with the 22-year-old having also been linked with Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Valencia and Benfica. (Athletic – subscription required)
Tottenham have had a £20m bid for English midfielder Jacob Ramsey, 23, rejected by Aston Villa in a deal which involved Argentina midfielder Giovani lo Celso, 28, moving in the opposite direction. (Times – subscription required)
Napoli have no plans to sell Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer, with the Serie A club’s president Aurelio de Laurentiis having met with the 23-year-old and his agent at Euro 2024 – with plans to offer the player a new contract after the tournament in Germany. (Fabrizio Romano)
Newcastle have been told by AC Milan only a fee of around £40m will prise 26-year-old England defender Fikayo Tomori from San Siro. (Calciomercato – in Italian)
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is ready to open talks with AC Milan and Napoli over a transfer but the 31-year-old Belgium striker will cost them £25m. (La Gazetta dello Sport via Football Italia)
Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, 24, has agreed personal terms with Sevilla to join the Spanish club on loan for the 2024-25 season. (Penalty, via Football London)
Arsenal are set to seal a deal for Espanyol’s Joan Garcia that will see the Spanish goalkeeper, 23, become their first summer signing. (Mirror)
Tottenham and West Ham have joined the race to sign 22-year-old English winger Jaden Philogene from Hull City. (Football Insider)
Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and Go Ahead Eagles coach Rene Hake are both now in talks to join Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff at Old Trafford. (Telegraph – subscription required)
