'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles represent a a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in such situations, the recently named head the regulator has announced.
Through a comprehensive talk, Kogan, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups representing the football team recently.
The Championship side have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a major concern for the league and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for the English game and in recent days we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations referred to us if they require examination and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
The team's struggling chairman the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year resulted in restrictions being imposed by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the following recruitment periods, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, 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 the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an individual club, an individual owner, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the issues that the club's facing and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you review the record of the sport, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, not many, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the current proprietor in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The chairman convened with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the authority recently and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved could disappear rapidly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a major achievement - 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 keep flowing into the sport, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the elite division's competitive balance, but the regulator stated: "I fully support the success and growth as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging 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 substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been informing us confidentially they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the Labour Party in the past.
The official donated money to Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
