Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez has openly questioned Brondby IF manager Steve Cooper over the absence of Benjamin Tahirovic from recent club fixtures.
As the countdown begins toward the high-stakes FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final in Cardiff, Barbarez has suggested that the midfielder’s omission by Brondby may be influenced by national loyalties.
Bosnia are set to face Wales national football team, with the winner advancing to meet either Italy national football team or Northern Ireland national football team for a World Cup spot.
“Benjo has told me some things that are hard to believe,” Barbarez said at a press conference in Sarajevo.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Cooper, who has previously managed Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, and Swansea City, had earlier maintained that Tahirovic’s exclusion was based purely on internal standards, citing a failure to “live up to the values” expected at the club.
However, as the debate intensified, Soren Hanghoj stepped in to firmly clear the air, emphasizing that the decision had no international implications.
“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.”
As matchday edges closer, the spotlight now shifts back onto the pitch. With emotions already running high off it, the clash promises to deliver both drama and intensity when Bosnia and Wales finally go head-to-head.
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