Steve Cooper accused of dropping participant as a result of World Cup playoff conflict with Wales

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

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

Wales host Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Cardiff Metropolis Stadium on Thursday with a house play-off last in opposition to Italy or Northern Eire awaiting the winner subsequent Tuesday.

Barbarez’s declare has has been denied by the Danish membership.

In a press convention on Monday, the Bosnia boss stated: “Benjo has advised me some issues which might be exhausting to consider. It has one thing to do along with his coach’s origin.

“When your coach needs you, however not your nationwide group, good luck, it leaves room for thought.

“He [Cooper] has advised him that every thing will return to regular after the nationwide group season.

“I’m not like that, I really like and worth sport and competitors extra.”

‘Far-reaching hypothesis’

Soren Hanghoj, Brondby’s communications director, has refuted Barbarez’s declare and stated the participant’s omission was a “membership choice”.

Hanghoj stated: “That is fairly a far-reaching hypothesis.

“Steve has publicly said the issues behind the choice – and none of them have the slightest reference to both nationwide group. That goes with out saying.

“It’s not only a head coach who’s the sponsor of a choice just like the one in query right here.

“It’s a membership choice that has been made collectively by a complete teaching group and the sporting administration.

“And there should not that many Wales followers in Brondby in any case.”