'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues constitute a "major concern" and the football regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has declared.
During an extensive discussion, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations associated with the Championship side in recent days.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in September.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for the English game and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri stated during the off-season he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months resulted in restrictions being imposed by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "The position was created for the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
Inquired if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"Our least desirable course of action is begin intervening in an individual club, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the coming years."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman this season
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to lay out the remit of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish swiftly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an economic entity of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of the nation. But simultaneously, if you engage with division representatives after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "comprehensive investigation" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in the past.
The 68-year-old contributed funds to government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
