NRL Star arrested amid betting scandal

NSW Police have revealed that Canterbury Bulldogs player Ryan Tandy has been arrested for allegedly providing false evidence to a law enforcement agency during the course of an investigation.

Detectives from the New South Wales Crime Command's Racing and Casino Investigation Unit are probing suspicious betting activity during Canterbury's round-24 NRL match against North Queensland last year.

The alleged incident involved a betting plunge on the first points of the game to come from a penalty, with suspicions raised about Tandy's role after he was penalised for lying on Cowboys playmaker Grant Rovelli in front of the posts.

A Police statement read "a 29-year-old man was arrested by police in Sydney's CBD, before being taken to City Central Police Station. Charges are expected to be laid."

Tandy's arrest follows three police searches on Tuesday, at a unit in Bronte in Sydney's eastern suburbs and homes in Strathfield and Punchbowl in the city's west.

During the searches officers located and seized relevant documentation and mobile phones.

Firearms and Organised Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis said police were treating the investigation seriously.

Katsogiannis said in a statement, "it's not a game, this is real life and police will continue with their investigations in an endeavour to uncover the truth and ensure justice is done," Katsogiannis said in a statement.

"Detectives will continue to use every available resource to uncover the truth and complete their investigation."

The NRL said it is happy for New South Wales Police to continue its investigation.

In a statement NRL Chief Executive David Gallop explained "we have always believed, following our initial inquiries, that the police were the appropriate people to further investigate concerns and we appreciate the resources they have invested into doing so.

"It remains a police matter and any comment on the investigations as they continue should be through the police until we are advised otherwise."
AAP 

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