![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")
Georgia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili expects Spain to go on to win the ongoing EURO 2024 championship after a classy display on Sunday.
A 4-1 loss to Spain ended Georgia’s maiden participation in a major finals at the round of 16 stage.
The Spaniards went behind due to an own goal in the 18th minute but never lost their composure, cantering into the quarter-finals thanks to goals from Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo.
“I think Spain are the favourites for this tournament and they will become champions. It’s a pity that we met this team, but it’s okay, it’s not the end. We will come back stronger,” Mamardashvili told reporters.
“Of course, it’s sad that we lost in the round of 16, but we should also be happy about it, because not long ago we couldn’t have imagined that we would reach this far,” he added.
The Georgians became one of the feelgood stories of the tournament by beating Portugal 2-0 in their final Group F game to make it to the knockout stages, all while trying to play expansive football against more illustrious opponents.
Captain Guram Kashia said his side were disappointed to be heading home, and that the loss of leading striker Otar Kiteishvili to injury proved a big blow.
“We played well in the first half (against Spain), in the second, after we lost Kiteishvili, the game changed. In the end, we conceded goals and said goodbye to the championship, but we are happy that we represented our country with dignity,” Kashia said.
“We are proud of how we represented our country at such a high-level tournament. We got to the European Championship for the first time, and it was an amazing adventure. I am once again proud of our game,” he added.
