March 24 (Reuters) - Danish club ⁠Brondby have backed manager Steve Cooper after the Welshman was accused ⁠of dropping Bosnian midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic because he will face ‌Wales in a World Cup playoff semi-final in Cardiff on Thursday.

Bosnia-Herzegovina manager Sergej Barbarez made the claim at a news conference this week, saying former Swansea City boss ​Cooper had left Tahirovic out of Brondby's two ⁠most recent games because ⁠of his nationality.

"Benjo has told me some things that are hard to ⁠believe. It ‌has something to do with his coach's origin," Barbarez said on Monday. "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."

Media ⁠reports on Tuesday ​said Tahirovic had contacted Cooper to apologise for the comments and that Brondby sporting director Benjamin Schmede had contacted Barbarez to explain the decision.

"This is ⁠quite a far-reaching speculation," Soren Hanghoj, Brondby's ​communications director was quoted as saying by the BBC. "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.