World Cup row erupts as ex-Premier League manager accused of ‘sabotage’ | Football | Sport
Bosnia star Benjamin Tahirovic has reportedly apologised to Steve Cooper after the Brondby manager was accused of deliberately leaving the player out ahead of Bosnia’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Wales. The Welsh-born head coach, who has led the Danish Superliga club since September, chose not to select Tahirovic during Brondby’s 0-0 draw with Aarhus Gymnastikforening on Sunday.
Consequently, Cooper was subjected to damning accusations from Bosnia manager Sergej Barbarez that he had given Wales an upper hand by restricting the defensive midfielder’s playing time. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the head coach said: “Benjo has told me some things that are hard to believe. It has something to do with his coach’s roots and origins.
“When your coach wishes you, but not your national team, good luck, everything is much clearer. 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.”
TalkSPORT claim that Tahirovic has subsequently called Cooper to apologise for the unfounded allegations that he was deliberately omitted at Brondby. This follows Cooper’s explanation of his decision to exclude Tahirovic from his squad last week, referencing a disciplinary matter.
He told TV 2 Sport: “It’s a shame. Such situations are never good, but unfortunately, it’s the right thing to do.
“The team, the club, the traditions and the values are always the most important thing. I’m not going to go into it more specifically on a personal level. But when you see things that don’t live up to the values and the team, you have to do something about it.”
Brondby have also responded to Barbarez’s claims regarding Cooper. The club’s communications chief, Soren Hanghoi, told TV 2 Sport: “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.”
Wales are poised to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a World Cup qualification play-off on Thursday, March 26, at Cardiff City Stadium. A victory there will see the nation play either Northern Ireland or Italy on home soil on Tuesday, March 31, for their spot in this summer’s tournament in North America.
