rewrite this title Steve Cooper accused of dropping player due to World Cup playoff clash with Wales

Former Nottingham Forest and current Brondby boss Steve Cooper has been accused of dropping Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic ahead of the country’s World Cup playoff semi-final clash with Wales on Thursday.

Wales-born Cooper, manager of the Danish club since September 2025, was accused by Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez, who claimed that Tahirovic’s absence “has something to do with his coach’s origin”.

Wales host Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday with a home play-off final against Italy or Northern Ireland awaiting the winner next Tuesday.

Barbarez’s claim has has been denied by the Danish club.

In a press conference on Monday, the Bosnia boss said: “Benjo has told me some things that are hard to believe. It has something to do with his coach’s origin.

“When your coach wishes you, but not your national team, good luck, it leaves room for thought.

“He [Cooper] has told him that everything will return to normal after the national team season.

“I am not like that, I love and value sport and competition more.”

‘Far-reaching speculation’

Soren Hanghoj, Brondby’s communications director, has refuted Barbarez’s claim and said the player’s omission was a “club decision”.

Hanghoj said: “This is quite a far-reaching speculation.

“Steve has publicly stated the considerations behind the decision – and none of them have the slightest connection with either national team. That goes without saying.

“It is not just a head coach who is the sponsor of a decision like the one in question here.

“It is a club decision that has been made jointly by an entire coaching team and the sporting management.

“And there are not that many Wales fans in Brondby after all.”