Andres Iniesta: Barcelona gained no refereeing advantage from Negreira case

Andres Iniesta says he never saw, heard or felt Barcelona receive refereeing help, insisting the club would not have benefited by even 1% from the alleged assistance discussed in the Negreira case.

The Barcelona legend was speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, where he also said he hoped the 2026 Ballon d’Or would be won by a Spanish player.

“Honestly, I hope it is a Spanish player,” Iniesta said. “It would make sense after winning the 2026 World Cup.”

Iniesta was also asked whether he had placed great importance on the Ballon d’Or during his career. He said the focus should be on team success rather than individual awards.

“In general, I think everyone used to give more importance to trophies,” he said. “What people want is to win the league and the Champions League. If the Ballon d’Or comes, then it comes.

“It is not an achievement that can be placed at the same level as the league or the Champions League.”

Iniesta on Barcelona’s current generation

Iniesta compared the current Barcelona squad with the team that won the 2010 World Cup with Spain, describing the present group as very young.

“These players are very young,” he said. “The challenge is to maintain the mentality that allows the group to continue producing what it is currently producing.

“If you look at the next four, six or eight years, most of the players in the team will be at the peak of their footballing ability.”

Iniesta then addressed the Negreira case, which concerns allegations surrounding payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice-president of the refereeing technical committee. The former midfielder said the matter had not yet reached its conclusion.

“From a footballing point of view, there is no debate,” Iniesta said. “We have not yet reached the end of what is being discussed.”

However, he argued that a review of Barcelona’s matches during the period in question would not demonstrate any meaningful refereeing favour.

“But even if we analysed all the matches from that period being discussed, they would not find even 1% of those possible assists,” he said.

Iniesta added that his experience on the pitch had never suggested Barcelona were being helped by officials.

“I have never heard, never seen and never felt that I received any help,” he said. “In every match, supporters and players believe the other side received help.”