Barbarez refuses to apologise to Steve Cooper after cryptic 'puzzle' remarks | OneFootball

According to Nottingham Post, Bosnia and Herzegovina manager Sergej Barbarez has refused to apologise to Steve Cooper after alleging the Brondby boss dropped Benjamin Tahirovic from club duty to help Wales' World Cup bid.

Wales host Bosnia in a play-off semi-final in Cardiff on Thursday, with the winners at home to Italy or Northern Ireland next Tuesday.

Barbarez had on Monday accused the former Nottingham Forest manager of seeking to assist his native Wales, claims Brondby flatly rejected, saying Tahirovic's absence was a club decision.

Tahirovic later apologised to Cooper for his coach's comments, but after arriving in Cardiff Barbarez would not back down, saying he had created a puzzle for people to ponder.

He insisted he trusts his players and said his intention was to protect Tahirovic. Barbarez added he has known the midfielder for the past two years. He urged focus on the match, which he said was the most important thing for both teams.

Source: Nottingham Post