'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "significant problem" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was recently selected, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups associated with the football team recently.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs submitted for our review if they require examination and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in March and May caused limitations by the football authorities in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the following recruitment periods, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has represented their community in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
Inquired if the regulator could force 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 response would be once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be considered the final option and the regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you review the record of the game, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to detail the scope of the authority recently and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"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 part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on risk and of course, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the elite league.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But concurrently, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the opposition group in the past.
The chairman contributed funds to Culture Secretary 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 parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
