![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")
Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales behaved inappropriately towards England players after the Women’s World Cup final, according to Football Association chairwoman Debbie Hewitt.
Rubiales was banned from all football activities for three years by FIFA in October for his actions during the match, which included kissing Spanish player Jenni Hermoso without her consent.
England, the European champions, were defeated 1-0 in the final in Sydney.
FIFA has finally released its conclusions in the case, stating that it was tempted to impose a harsher sentence.
The FIFA disciplinary committee stated that Rubiales acted with “complete impunity” during the game on August 20.
“The committee could not stress enough that, regardless of the emotional state he was in during and after the match, Rubiales’ behavior was inexcusable and unacceptable, especially considering his high rank within the football ecosystem at the time,” it said.
Hewitt was called to testify, and the report includes a summary of her testimony.
According to the report, Hewitt stated that the Spaniard “cupped and stroked” the face of England’s Laura Coombs and “seemingly forcefully kissed Lucy Bronze on her face” at the presentation ceremony.
Hewitt added she “felt deeply uncomfortable and embarrassed” at the way Rubiales greeted the Spanish players, which included tapping one on the bottom.
According to the report, she also stated that Rubiales kissed Hermoso “fully and forcibly on the mouth.”
Responding to the allegations, Rubiales accused Hewitt of “blatantly” lying or “speaking from ignorance” in relation to the kiss.
The former Spanish football chief, who resigned in September after first promising not to resign, stated his intention to challenge the ban on the day it was granted.
He appeared before a court hearing a sexual assault charge stemming from the Hermoso incident five days after resigning as Spain’s football boss.
He has frequently stated that the kiss was mutual.
