'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "major concern" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in similar circumstances, its new chair the regulator has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards the club's followers.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations representing the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in September.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will permit us to bring Wednesday and comparable cases referred to us if they need to be investigated and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in March and May caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the following recruitment periods, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
When asked if the authority might compel an owner to sell a club if they are judged inappropriate, the chairman responded: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we assemble the facts and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"Our least desirable course of action is begin intervening in an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you examine the past of football, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, 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 terms of English football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been invested for the past two decades, because there's no guarantee it will continue to come into football, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the creation of a regulator because of fears of a negative impact on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I completely endorse the prosperity and expansion as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering of this country. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after today's meeting, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been informing us confidentially they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in the past.
The official donated money to government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my past party membership [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the official body endorsed my nomination," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
