FIFA President Gianni Infantino has attempted a classification after his controversial statement about African refugees and migrants.

This part of his speech before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Wednesday was apparently "misinterpreted" and "taken out of context", said Infantino (51), according to a statement by the World Football Association on Twitter.

It was a "general comment" that was not directly related to the possibility of hosting the World Championships every two years.

Infantino defends World Cup hosts Qatar

During his speech, Infantino finally spoke about FIFA's plans to shorten the World Cup rhythm from four to two years.

Discussing the benefits, he also said: “We need to give Africans hope that they don't have to come across the Mediterranean to find maybe a better life here - but probably death at sea.

We must give them opportunities and dignity.

Not by being charitable, but by letting everyone participate.”

In his statement, he wanted to "clarify that my overall message in my speech was that everyone in a position of responsibility has a responsibility to help improve the situation for people around the world."

This was not limited to the African continent.

The shortening of the World Cup rhythm is a major contentious issue in world football.

The European Football Union and the South American continental association Conmebol are against it.

During his speech on Wednesday, Infantino criticized the self-image of the European associations and urged them to look at the advantages that a shorter World Cup rhythm would bring to other parts of the world, in his opinion.

In addition, Infantino once again defended the World Cup hosts Qatar, which had been criticized for human rights violations, before the Council of Europe and rejected reports of thousands of deaths on the construction sites.

Clear criticism of Infantino quickly came from former FIFA President Joseph Blatter.

The head of the World Football Association "apparently likes to be on the political stage", but forgets his core tasks, Blatter told the sports information service.

Infantino wanted to "save the world - but doesn't realize that his statements are not only ironic, but cynical, and his reference to Africa is unworldly and defamatory".

Blatter, who has been at the center of numerous allegations of corruption and is always critical of his successor, also renewed his concerns about the possible shortening of the World Cup cycle to two years.

This would "turn the FIFA pyramid on its head," he said.

Blatter fears that other associations could follow suit: "That would lead to oversaturation in every respect."