'We are going to be a part of football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles represent a a "serious issue" and the new football authority is seeking powers to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, the recently named head the official has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporter groups representing the Championship side this week.
The Championship side have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in September.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for football in England and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Failure to pay player wages on time in spring months caused limitations by the league officials in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the chairman responded: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an specific team, an individual owner, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the issues that the club's facing and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of the game, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but particular people who have shown negligence in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the coming years."
Owls fans have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the extraordinary progress that's been made might evaporate swiftly," Kogan said.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has been invested 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 maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the success and growth as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of England. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials 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 significant confidence."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The chairman provided financial support for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the politician's campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my past party membership [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the official body endorsed my nomination," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
