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GENEVA - Aiming to end Sepp Blatters 17-year grip on power at FIFA, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has a daunting task.The 39-year-old prince from Jordan announced Tuesday he will be a candidate for the FIFA presidency even though five of the six continental confederations have already declared their support for Blatter.The rebellious region — European governing body UEFA — holds only 53 of the 209 votes and includes traditionally loyal Blatter supporters among former Soviet republics.Prince Ali also cannot be sure of widespread support within his home Asian Football Confederation, where he faces an awkward election in May before FIFAs decision day.Still, the prince represents a genuine choice for FIFA voters who truly want to freshen the culture of an organization rocked by scandals on Blatters watch.Elected by Asian members as their FIFA vice-president in January 2011, Prince Ali is untouched by the allegations of bribery and favour-seeking that tainted many of his colleagues on the much-discredited, Blatter-chaired executive committee, which he formally joined later that year.This was not an easy decision, the prince said in a single-page statement in which he pledged to run a positive campaign and did not specifically mention Blatter. It came after careful consideration and many discussions with respected FIFA colleagues over the last few months.The message I heard, over and over, was that it is time for a change.Prince Ali has been encouraged to run by UEFA President Michel Platini, who opted last year to avoid an expected challenge to his onetime mentor Blatter.I know Prince Ali well. He has all the credibility required to hold high office, the France great said in a statement. We now await his proposals and his program for the future of football.FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Blatters office.Prince Ali is considered the main challenger to Blatter. Jerome Champagne of France, a former FIFA staffer and longtime ally of Blatter, has also announced his intention to run.During Blatters 17-year reign, he has avoided personal scandal amid bribery allegations in presidential and World Cup hosting elections, kickbacks paid to senior officials, and World Cup ticket scams.Blatter has also mastered the politics of an often secretive organization he joined in 1975, a few months before Prince Ali was born. The veteran Swiss official has said his mission to lead world football is unfinished.That mission is fuelled by a runway popular and commercial success of FIFAs cash cow, the World Cup.The worlds most-watched sports event has given FIFA $1.5 billion in cash reserves with plenty more to give members and confederations every four years ahead of election day.Rest assured, the 11 members in this room are the first in line, Oceania confederation president David Chung said last June, pledging his voters support to Blatter in Sao Paulo, Brazil.Its against this culture — and Blatters long relationship with voters, such as the 54 in Africa who have little contact with Jordan — that Prince Ali must compete.Prince Ali did not specify which five FIFA members will nominate him, as required before a Jan. 29 deadline. He travelled Tuesday to Australia for the Asian Cup, which kicks off Friday after an AFC congress in Melbourne.AFC president Sheik Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain pledged its backing for Blatter at a 60th anniversary celebration at Manila in November, confirming earlier support in Brazil.It was a unanimous decision, Salman said at the time. We never go back on our words and commitments, thats how we are.Last June in Brazil, Sheik Salman also effectively manoeuvred Prince Ali out of his FIFA vice presidency by tying that role to the AFC presidency at future elections. Those are next due in May, when Prince Ali should contest an ordinary FIFA board seat as one of Asias four elected delegates.While others in Asia have shaped internal politics, Prince Ali has taken a more personal path in development projects for youth and womens football. Previously, he led a successful campaign to lift a FIFA ban on female Islamic players wearing headscarves in its competitions.The theme of public service follows a Jordanian royal family tradition for the son of the late King Hussein and the late Queen Alia, who died in a helicopter crash in 1977.Educated at schools in England and the United States, Prince Ali attended the elite Sandhurst military academy in England before joining his countrys armed forces.His sister, Princess Haya, stepped down last month as an International Olympic Committee member after eight years as president of equestrians governing body, and their half-brother Prince Faisal remains an IOC member.Prince Ali was a vocal supporter of FIFA ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia, who resigned last month with a parting shot at Blatters leadership style and the organizations seeming unwillingness to reform.On Tuesday, Prince Ali called for shifting focus away from administrative controversy and back to sport.The worlds game deserves a world-class governing body — an international federation that is a service organization and a model of ethics, transparency and good governance, Prince Ali said.However noble the aim, it is unclear that FIFA voters feel the same way. 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Amid a rain of confetti, Shabazz Napier basked in the celebration on the court after being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four following the 60-54 win over Kentucky.Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson marched on at the World Matchplay, while Steve Beaton turned back the clock to follow the big boys through to the quarter-finals on another barmy night at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Taylor, the 15-time World Matchplay champion, was back to his imperious best on his favourite stage as he cruised past Mensur Suljovic 11-5 to set up a meeting against Mervyn King, on Friday.Anderson, reached the quarter-finals for only the second time at The Winter Gardens, and put an end to his miserable record against Terry Jenkins with a masterful performance, while Beaton sealed a surprising victory by eliminating the former PDC World Youth champion and world No 7 Michael Smith in a high-quality tungsten tussle. Phil The Power Taylor averaged 101.11, with four 180s and 48 per cent on his doubles to roar through to the quarter-finals.The scoring deserted Austrias methodical Suljovic, a quarter-finalist in Blackpool last year, after breaking in the fifth leg to close the gap to 3-2 against Taylor at the intermission. Taylor then reeled off four legs on the bounce before the world No 17 held throw, but the former world No 1 looked comfortable at 7-3 and the 55-year-old wrapped up the win with ease to set up a clash with King.Bit messy, a bit sloppy, it upset me a little, Taylor told Sky Sports of his finishing. Im going to sharpen up now and get ready for Friday and play proper now. Phil Taylor gave his reaction after he rolled past Mensur Suljovic In a real tungsten arm wrestle, King reached his first Matchplay quarter-final in seven years after coming through 11-8 against The History Maker, Brendan Dolan.In their first meeting in two years both players struggled to gain a stranglehold on the match. But with an average of 90, the 50-year-old Norfolk thrower, who upset James Wade in the first round, broke at 8-8 and finished things off with double 10 to end Dolans hopes.Two-time World Matchplay finalist Jenkins had won 12 out of the last 13 against Anderson, but had no answer against The Flying Scotsman this time around. Gary Anderson was happy after beatinng Terry Jenkins at the World Matchplay Anderson, who blitzed Alan Norris 10-1 in the first round, swept Jenkins aside with an impressive 100.dddddddddddd.76 three-dart average and 55 per cent on the doubles and will play Beaton next.Steve Beaton has been brilliant on the Pro Tour so I will have to play well, said Anderson. It would be nice to win the title in Blackpool. Ive not done well here so it would be nice to win it.Beaton sealed another surprising victory by eliminating Smith. Steve Beaton was delighted after he upset Michael Smith to progress After upsetting Jelle Klaasen in the first round, The Bronzed Adonis reached the last eight at The Winter Gardens for the first time since 2001 with a calm and composed display against the up-and-coming Smith.In a match that illuminated Blackpool, the 1996 Lakeside champion nailed a stunning early 160 checkout before establishing a four leg lead. Despite some resistance from The Bully Boy Beaton rocked on the oche, showing no signs of nerves to close out the game. Beaton nailed a sensational 160 checkout on his way to beating Smith in Blackpool Its been a long time, said the 52-year-old, who averaged 99.16 with 65 per cent on his checkouts. I actually though Michael slowed it down and that helped me. My finishing was good.The competition is brilliant. The whole thing is brilliant. I play for the buzz. Im getting paid to do something I love. Check out daily Darts news on skysports.com/darts, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportsdartsBy purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. Also See: Sky Bets darts odds As it happened... WATCH: Darts Trick Shots! Live on Sky Player Profiles NOW TV ' ' '