![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?")
England midfielder, Jude Bellingham, is under investigation by Uefa for a gesture he made after scoring a late equalizer against Slovakia on Sunday in their Euro 2024 last-16 match.
Bellingham is under investigation for what the European Football Association (EFA) described as a “potential violation” of “the basic rules of decent conduct”.
Bellingham was seen making a crotch-grabbing gesture towards the Slovakian bench after scoring an overhead kick in stoppage time.
The Real Madrid player claimed on social media that it was an inside joke meant for a few close friends rather than criticizing England’s opponents.
The 21-year-old may be subject to a fine, a suspension, or both if it is determined that he violated the rules.
Article 11 2b of the relevant regulations stipulates that all individuals subject to Uefa regulations must adhere to the “principles of ethical conduct, loyalty, integrity, and sportsmanship.”
A person may be in violation if their behavior is “insulting or otherwise violates the basic rules of decent conduct”.
England won 2-1 after extra time to set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland on Saturday.
Bellingham posted the following in response to the incident on social media: “An inside-joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game.”
“Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”
When Cristiano Ronaldo made a similar gesture in 2019 during the Juventus vs. Atletico Madrid Champions League second-leg match, he was fined but spared a ban.
Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid, was also fined for the gesture he made during the first leg.
