![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?")
Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah says he is “far away” from signing a new deal at the Premier League club.
Salah, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season and can enter negotiations with non-English clubs on 1 January over a free transfer once his deal expires.
The Egyptian scored his 20th goal of the season as Liverpool beat West Ham 5-0 at the London Stadium on Sunday to extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points.
Asked about his future following the victory, Salah told Sky Sports: “No, we are far away from that [contract] and I don’t want to put anything in the media.
“The only thing on my mind is I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of that.
“I will do my best for the team to win the trophy. There is a few other teams catching up with us and we need to stay focused and humble and go again.”
Salah, club captain Virgil van Dijk and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract at the end of the season.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot says he is not concerned that the trio can, in theory, sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from 1 January.
“I think I have a lot of control over what they do,” Slot said. “If they’re on a training pitch, if they’re in a meeting with me… but talking about the private lives, I don’t have control about them.
“I have control to a certain extent over them, from what I expect from them on the pitch, and I’m really pleased to see what Virgil brings, what Trent brings and what Mo (Salah) brings.”
Earlier this season, Salah said he was “disappointed” by the club’s failure to offer him a new deal.
After Liverpool’s win against Manchester City earlier this month, Salah said he played the game against Pep Guardiola’s side as if it were the last time he would face them.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy says he is still confident Salah will remain at Anfield.
“I hope it’s a little bit of gameplay in terms of the negotiations (with Liverpool),” Murphy told Match of the Day.
“Every Liverpool supporter wants him to stay and I’ve got a really positive feeling that he’ll stay and they’ll get it done.
“They’re just taking their time – these things do when you’re talking about huge amounts of money.
“He’s the most important player Liverpool have at the moment. They’ve got to get it signed off.”
