Steve Cooper accused by Bosnia coach of sidelining star before World Cup play-off v Wales | OneFootball

Bosnia head coach Sergej Barbarez has accused Brondby manager Steve Cooper of sidelining Benjamin Tahirovic before Wales v Bosnia in the World Cup play-offs.

According to NY Times, Barbarez said the 23-year-old told him he had been dropped for reasons linked to Cooper’s roots and origins. He added that Cooper wished him luck for his club but not for Bosnia, and that things would return to normal after the national-team window.

Cooper has previously said Tahirovic, regarded as one of Brondby’s standout players, and Sean Klaiber were omitted for failing to meet the club’s values, while declining to elaborate.

Brondby communications chief Soren Hanghoj rejected Barbarez’s interpretation, calling it a far-reaching claim and insisting the decision had no connection to any national team. He said it was a collective call by the coaching staff and sporting management, adding that there are not many Wales supporters at Brondby.

Tahirovic last featured as a 77th-minute substitute in the 0-0 draw with Midtjylland earlier this month. Since then he has not been named in the starting line-up for four matches, and was left out of the squad for the two most recent games before the break.

Wales host Bosnia in Cardiff on Thursday in a play-off semi-final. The winners will then host Italy or Northern Ireland for a place at this summer’s finals.

Tahirovic has scored twice in 24 caps for Bosnia, and has made 44 appearances for Brondby since joining from Ajax in 2024. Former Nottingham Forest, Leicester and Swansea manager Cooper has led Brondby since September, with his side sixth in the Danish top flight.

Source: NY Times