'Our role is integral to football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues represent a a "serious issue" and the football regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in such situations, the recently named head the regulator has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups connected to the Championship side this week.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for English football and in recent days we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they need to be investigated and acted upon."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in earlier this year led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "Our role exists to serve the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the followers."
Questioned about whether the authority might compel an proprietor to divest a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the regulator answered: "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 regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you examine the past of the sport, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been demonstrating against the team's chairman in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "substantial involvement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we've got to keep it going.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has been invested for the last 20 or 25 years, because there's no guarantee it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I fully support the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But concurrently, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, in fact, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
The chairman continues to confront a "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he acknowledged providing funds to the Labour Party in recent years.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for Culture Secretary the politician's 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 parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
