At 56, Tim Farrell is an unlikely football revolutionary, a lifelong Newcastle Jets fan from Australia who has never played or worked in the sport. Working in video and multimedia production, he has spent the last two decades campaigning to replace extra time and penalty shoot‑outs with a new method that he believes better reflects the game.

Penalty shoot‑outs were first codified in 1970 after the 1968 Olympic quarter‑final fiasco, replacing coin‑tosses and replayed matches. The system has attracted criticism for being too individual, too easy, and for amplifying failure, especially in high‑stakes tournaments like the World Cup.

Farrell’s proposal, ADG (Attacker, Defender, Goalkeeper), would see an attacker start 32 yards from goal with a defender 10 yards away and a keeper to beat within 15 seconds. Teams would alternate, selecting attackers first, defenders second, creating a tactical, low‑scoring alternative that rewards those who succeed.

By eliminating extra time, ADG would reduce player fatigue, cut broadcast uncertainty, and shift pressure from a single miss to a collective effort, offering a more authentic reflection of football’s skill and teamwork.