'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The team's current difficulties constitute a "serious issue" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to look into club affairs in such situations, its new chair the regulator has announced.
During an extensive discussion, Kogan, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards the club's followers.
The chairman convened with four fan organizations connected to the Championship side in recent days.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in last month.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Monetary Issues and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has failed to complete a sale with interested parties.
Failure to pay player wages on time in March and May resulted in restrictions being imposed by the football authorities in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or approached financial ruin, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
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 answer is once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an individual club, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"But the truth is, when you examine the past of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, not many, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the manner they have operated their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "substantial involvement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the football community fails, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish rapidly," the chairman stated.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an commercial operation of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the concern of undermining 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 high level of reassurance -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
The chairman continues to confront a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in 2020.
The official contributed funds to Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I've been completely open about my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
