'We will play a key role in football's future' - football oversight chief the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues represent a a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, the newly appointed chairman the official has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, showed understanding towards the club's followers.
Kogan met with four supporter groups representing the Championship side recently.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for football in England and recently we have met supporters' organizations.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations referred to us if they need to be investigated and acted upon."
Monetary Issues and Proprietorship Status
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months resulted in restrictions being imposed by the English Football League (EFL) in June, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I have absolute sympathy for the club's situation, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the supporters."
When asked if the authority might compel an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we assemble the facts and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to work with them.
"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an specific team, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of the sport, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to lay out the remit of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has come into football for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will continue to come into football, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the division as a high-quality offering of England. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in recent years.
The official provided financial support for Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any form of political activity."