'Our role is integral to football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles represent a a "serious issue" and the new football authority is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations associated with the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for the English game and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Proprietorship Status
The team's struggling chairman the current owner indicated in the summer he would be open to selling the club at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in August.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The position was created for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the followers."
When asked if the authority might compel an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an individual club, an particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that chairman to fix the issues that the club's facing and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you review the record of football, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved could disappear rapidly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been channeled for the recent generations, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on risk and of course, of the coming seasons."
Top Flight Apprehensions
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the success and growth as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But at the same time, if you engage with division representatives after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in 2020.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"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."
