Canterbury have stood down Ryan Tandy from all team duties after receiving legal advice it would be in the best interests of the club for him not to train or play before answering charges pertaining to an NRL betting probe.

Tandy faces court on March 3 to answer charges of providing false evidence to a law enforcement agency.

He faces up to five years in jail.

The Bulldogs initially offered no comment on Tandy's plight after the under-siege forward was charged on Wednesday.

But the club released a statement on their website on Thursday night saying the 29-year-old had been excused from "all club duties, including his playing and training obligations".

"The club today convened a meeting of its board and disciplinary committee. Following receipt of legal advice, it has been determined that it would be in the best interests of the club and Mr Tandy that he should be excused from his obligations until further notice," the statement read.

"The club makes no comment about the charges laid against Mr Tandy or their merits. These are matters before the court and Mr Tandy is entitled to answer those charges in due course. The club has informed Mr Tandy that it reserves its rights concerning his contract as the situation develops and more information becomes known."

Detectives from the NSW Crime Command's Racing and Casino Investigation Unit are probing suspicious betting activity during an NRL clash between Canterbury and North Queensland last year.

The incident involved a betting plunge on the first points of the game to come from a penalty.

Suspicions were raised about Tandy's role after he was penalised for impeding Cowboys playmaker Grant Rovelli in front of the posts two minutes into the game in Townsville last August.

Rugby League Players Association chief David Garnsey has called on Canterbury to continue to back their player.

Garnsey said he was surprised the former Melbourne and St George Illawarra front-rower had been charged and added Tandy's lawyer Danny Eid was also shocked by the news.

"No one had wind that it was going to happen and everyone was in a bit of a spin," Garnsey told AAP.

"His lawyer wasn't able to tell me how he (Tandy) was bearing up at the time when I spoke to him yesterday, but you can only imagine what he must have been feeling ... it can't have been a pleasant experience."

Garnsey said he offered to support Tandy when the case first came to light last year but was told his manager Sam Ayoub would provide him with legal help.

"It's not surprising, but a lot of the players are heavily influenced by their managers' advice and often they will get legal representation through them," he said.

Garnsey admitted he was concerned about Tandy's welfare.

"Ryan's well-being and state of mind are of the foremost importance right now and I hope when he appears in court it can be disposed of quickly and he can move on with his life," he said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP