'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 "significant problem" and the new football authority is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations connected to the football team this week.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in last month.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for football in England and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months led to sanctions by the league officials in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the following recruitment periods, although those limitations were removed in August.
Official's Viewpoint
The regulator explained: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
Inquired if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are judged inappropriate, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," the regulator explained.
"But the truth is, when you examine the past of the game, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been voicing opposition to the team's chairman in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the world of football gets it wrong, the extraordinary progress that's been made necessary will vanish rapidly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources coming into football and has been invested for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the immediate future."
Top Flight Apprehensions
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an economic entity of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been informing us confidentially they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the political party in recent years.
The 68-year-old contributed funds to government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
