'Our role is integral to football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "major concern" and the new football authority is seeking powers to look into club affairs in such situations, its new chair the official has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four supporter groups associated with the football team in recent days.
The football club have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for English football and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases referred to us if they require examination and acted upon."
Monetary Issues and Ownership Situation
The team's struggling chairman the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has failed to complete a sale with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May caused limitations by the league officials in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "The position was created for the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has been part of their lives in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the club's situation, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
Inquired if the authority might compel an owner to sell a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But Kogan stressed that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of the game, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the future."
Owls fans have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The chairman convened with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the extraordinary progress that's been made might evaporate rapidly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been channeled for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an financial organization of the elite 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 significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the public appointments commissioner after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in 2020.
The 68-year-old donated money to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."
