'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues are seen as a "significant problem" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair the regulator has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporter groups associated with the Championship side this week.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on multiple instances, including in last month.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for football in England 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 require examination and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months led to sanctions by the football authorities in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "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 been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the supporters."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an proprietor to divest a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "When asking whether '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 considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an particular organization, an individual owner, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," the regulator explained.
"In actuality, when you examine the past of football, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the coming years."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to the current proprietor this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "substantial involvement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved might evaporate incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has come into football for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Elite division representatives objected to the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I'm absolutely committed to the success and growth as an financial organization of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition 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, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
The chairman continues to confront a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the opposition group in 2020.
The official donated money to government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
