'We are going to be a part of football's future' - newly appointed regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles represent a a "serious issue" and the new football authority is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in comparable cases, the recently named head the regulator has announced.
During an extensive discussion, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations connected to the South Yorkshire club this week.
The football club have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for English football and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they require examination and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Failure to pay player wages on time in earlier this year led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, blocking the team from conducting any recruitment activities for the following recruitment periods, although the ban was rescinded in late summer.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where people are committed to a local institution that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
Inquired if the regulator could force an chairman to relinquish a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," the regulator explained.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the game, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually don't wish to take responsibility for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been demonstrating against the team's chairman this season
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish swiftly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the realm of domestic football is a substantial accomplishment - we've got to keep it going.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has been invested for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, 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."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of fears of a negative impact on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I completely endorse the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the division as a high-quality offering of the nation. 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, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in 2020.
The chairman contributed funds to government minister the politician's campaign, 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 parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
