'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "major concern" and the football regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in such situations, the recently named head the official has declared.
During an extensive discussion, Kogan, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four fan organizations connected to the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in September.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the historic institutions for English football and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months caused limitations by the football authorities in June, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the following recruitment periods, although those limitations were removed 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 regional establishment that has been part of their lives in numerous instances.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for causes separate from the followers."
When asked if the oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors.
"Our least desirable course of action is begin intervening in an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," the regulator explained.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of football, over the recent generations there have been some owners, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we've got to keep it going.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has been channeled for the recent generations, because there's no guarantee it will keep flowing into the sport, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But simultaneously, 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 regulator remains subject to a "comprehensive investigation" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in 2020.
The chairman provided financial support for Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any form of political activity."
