Brondby’s Wales boss Steve Cooper has been accused of dropping Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Benjamin Tashirovic as Wales face them in the World Cup play-off semi-finals on Thursday.
Bosnia and Herzegovina coach Sergei Barbares made the claim, which was denied by the Danish club.
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Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina will meet in the home play-off final at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, before facing Italy or Northern Ireland on Tuesday, March 31, to decide the winner.
Barbarez told a press conference on Monday that former Swansea City boss Cooper had left Tasilovic out of the last two games due to Thursday’s qualifiers.
“Benjo told me some incredible things about where he came from as a coach,” Barbarez said.
“When your coach wishes you good luck but not your national team, it leaves room for reflection.
“He (Cooper) told him that everything would go back to normal after the national team season.
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“I’m not like that. I love and value sports and competition more.”
Cooper, a former Leicester City and Nottingham Forest boss, was born in the south Wales town of Pontypridd.
In the past, Cooper dropped Tahirovic and Suriname defender Sean Kleiber, saying they failed to “live up to the club’s values.”
Brondby’s communications director Søren Hanhoy dismissed Barbares’ claims and said the player’s absence was a “club decision”.
“This is quite far-reaching speculation,” Hanhoji said.
“Steve has spoken out publicly about the considerations behind this decision and none of them have the slightest link with either national team. That speaks for itself.
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“It’s not just one head coach who is the initiator of a decision like the one discussed here.
“This is a decision taken jointly by the club’s entire coaching staff and sporting management.
“There aren’t that many Welsh fans at Brondby after all.”