Steve Cooper: Brondby boss given apology after being accused of dropping Bosnia player before Wales match

Barbarez said at a news conference on Monday that former Swansea City boss Cooper had left Tahirovic out of their two most recent games because of Thursday’s qualifier.

Barbarez said: “Benjo has told me some things that are hard to believe. It has something to do with his coach’s origin.

“When your coach wishes you, but not your national team, good luck, it leaves room for thought.

“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.”

Cooper, who was born in the south Wales town Pontypridd is also a former Leicester and Nottingham Forest boss.

In the past Cooper dropped Tahirovic and Suriname defender Sean Klaiber, saying they had failed to “live up to the values” of the club.

Brondby’s communications director Soren Hanghoj rejected Barbarez’s claim and said the player’s omission was a “club decision”.

“This is quite a far-reaching speculation,” Hanghoj said.

“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.”