'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "serious issue" and the new football authority is seeking powers to examine team situations in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations representing the South Yorkshire club recently.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the historic institutions for English football and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases submitted for our review if they require examination and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Authority's Position
The regulator explained: "Our role exists to serve the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the club's situation, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
When asked if the authority might compel an owner to sell a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But Kogan stressed that forcing owners to sell clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an specific team, an individual owner, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the regulator explained.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of the game, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been voicing opposition to the current proprietor during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been channeled for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on potential dangers and naturally, of the immediate future."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the worry about compromising the division as a high-quality offering of this country. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been informing us confidentially they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in 2020.
The official donated money to Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
