'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The Championship club's ongoing struggles represent a a "significant problem" and the new football authority is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has declared.
Through a comprehensive talk, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four fan organizations representing the South Yorkshire club this week.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in September.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for the English game and recently we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases submitted for our review if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Monetary Issues and Leadership Concerns
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in earlier this year resulted in restrictions being imposed by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "The position was created for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a regional establishment that has represented their community in many cases.
"I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for causes separate from the supporters."
Inquired if the regulator could force an chairman to relinquish a club if they are judged inappropriate, the regulator answered: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is commence engagement with an individual club, an individual owner, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of the sport, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to lay out the remit of the authority recently and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish rapidly," the regulator warned.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has been invested for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Elite division representatives objected to the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the elite division's competitive balance, but the regulator stated: "I fully support the achievement and development as an financial organization of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the division as a high-quality offering of the nation. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Ideological Links
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in recent years.
The 68-year-old contributed funds to Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
