![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")
Newcastle United have identified Chelsea’s 25-year-old English defender Trevoh Chalobah as an alternative to Marc Guehi. Chalobah is admired by Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. (Talksport)
Crystal Palace are set to reject a fourth bid worth around £65m plus add-ons from Newcastle for 24-year England centre-back Guehi. (Sky Sports), external
Newcastle are not ready to walk away from a deal for Guehi just yet but the club are considering their options. (The I)
Palace have agreed personal terms with French centre-back Maxence Lacroix, 24, and are pushing for a deal with his club Wolfsburg. (Sky Germany – in German)
Newcastle could land Chelsea winger Noni Madueke for £30million but want to take the 22-year-old on loan in the first instance. (Football Insider), external
Chelsea will hold a fresh round of talks with Atletico Madrid over the weekend as the two clubs look to break the deadlock over deals for England midfielder Conor Gallagher and Portugal forward Joao Felix, both 24. (Telegraph – subscription required)
Negotiations between Arsenal and Real Sociedad over a move for 28-year-old Spain midfielder Mikel Merino are in their final stages and will continue over the weekend. (Fabrizio Romano)
Merino is set to be left out of Real Sociedad’s squad for their La Liga opener against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday as the finishes touches are put to the deal. (Marca – in Spanish)
Manchester United’s 30-year-old Sweden defender Victor Lindelof is a target for Italian club Fiorentina. (Gianluca Di Marzio – in Italian)
Tunisia midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been told he will only be allowed to leave Manchester United in a permanent deal, with Rangers and Celtic both interested in taking the 21-year-old on loan. (Football Insider)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has made it compulsory for his players to have breakfast together at the club’s training ground. (Times – subscription required)
Roma’s Tammy Abraham, 26, is set to join an unnamed club in the Saudi Pro League club despite interest from West Ham in the England striker. (La Repubblica – in Italian)
Leeds are interested in signing Burnley‘s 27-year-old Angola winger Manuel Benson. (Football Insider)
Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has finished a brief stint working alongside new Barcelona boss Hansi Flick and returned to Merseyside. (Marca – in Spanish)
