When serious allegations surface in sport, the response matters just as much as the facts themselves. It sets the tone, it signals priorities, and it tells supporters what a club believes is worth addressing, and what it would rather move past quietly.

That is why Leigh Leopards’ statement following allegations made about Tesi Niu has left so many fans deeply disappointed.

Over the weekend, social media posts appeared on Niu’s account detailing allegations of physical and emotional abuse made by his partner.

The content was disturbing, explicit and difficult to read. According to the club, the account was accessed externally and the posts were removed shortly afterwards. What followed was a short statement from owner Derek Beaumont confirming there would be no further action and no further comment.

For many supporters, that response simply was not good enough.

Everyone in rugby league knows that Derek Beaumont is rarely a man of few words. This is a club owner who has previously published essays running into thousands of words when addressing ticket allocations, governance disputes or perceived slights against Leigh.

He has never shied away from detail when something matters to him.

That is precisely why the brevity of this statement has surprised and unsettled so many fans.

Rather than engaging with the substance of what was alleged, the statement focused heavily on how the posts appeared online, reassuring supporters that internal welfare processes were followed and emphasising that there has been “no official complaint” made to the club or authorities.

But no official complaint does not mean no abuse is happening.

Many victims never report abuse. Fear, control, financial dependence, emotional manipulation and concern for children all play a role. Treating the absence of a complaint as a closing line, rather than a starting point for care and caution, misunderstands the reality of domestic abuse.

What is missing from the statement is a sense of gravity. There is no acknowledgement of how serious the allegations are, no reassurance that independent safeguarding bodies have been consulted, and no visible effort to centre the alleged victim rather than the club’s internal processes. Instead, supporters are asked to trust the club’s findings without being given any real insight into what they involve.