'Our role is integral to football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
The Championship club's ongoing struggles are seen as a "major concern" and the new football authority is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the recently named head the regulator has announced.
During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporter groups connected to the football team this week.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for English football and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they require examination and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with interested parties.
Failure to pay player wages on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the football authorities in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "The position was created for the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an specific team, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of the game, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been demonstrating against the current proprietor during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear rapidly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because there's no guarantee it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the success and growth as an commercial operation of the elite league.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering of England. But at the same time, if you engage with division representatives after this week's discussion, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a significant confidence."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he acknowledged providing funds to the Labour Party in recent years.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I currently have no participation in any form of political activity."
