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Bosnia Coach Accuses Brondby of Bias Against Tahirovic

3/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Sergej Barbarez accused Brondby manager Steve Cooper of omitting Benjamin Tahirovic from recent matchday squads because of Tahirovic's Bosnian national affiliation ahead of the World Cup play-off in Cardiff.
Cooper, appointed in September, previously said Tahirovic was dropped for not aligning with Brondby’s values.
Brondby communications director Soren Hanghoj denied the allegations, stating the decision was made collectively by the coaching staff and not related to national-team considerations.
The World Cup play-off semi-final in Cardiff is scheduled for Thursday.

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Story summary

Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Sergej Barbarez accused Brondby manager Steve Cooper of omitting Benjamin Tahirovic from recent matchday squads because of Tahirovic's Bosnian national affiliation ahead of the World Cup play-off in Cardiff.
Cooper, appointed in September, previously said Tahirovic was dropped for not aligning with Brondby’s values.
Brondby communications director Soren Hanghoj denied the allegations, stating the decision was made collectively by the coaching staff and not related to national-team considerations.
The World Cup play-off semi-final in Cardiff is scheduled for Thursday.