Steve Cooper accused of dropping a player for World Cup play-off clash with Wales

ex 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 semi-final clash with Wales on Thursday.

Wales-born Cooper, manager of the Danish club since September 2025, was blamed by Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez, who claimed Tahirovic’s absence « has something to do with his coach’s background ».

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

Barbarese’s claim was rejected by the Danish club.

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

« When your coach wishes you luck but not your national team, it leaves room for reflection.

“He (Cooper) told him everything would be back to normal after the national team season.

« I’m not like that, I love and value sport and competition more. »

« Far-reaching Speculation »

Soren Hanghoj, Brondby’s director of communications, denied Barbarez’s claim and said the player’s omission was a « club decision ».

Hanghoj said: “This is quite a wide-ranging speculation.

« Steve has publicly stated the reasoning behind the decision – and none of it has the slightest connection to the two national teams. That goes without saying.

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

« This is a club decision made jointly by the entire coaching staff and the sports management.

« There aren’t that many Wales fans in Brondby after all. »