'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
The team's ongoing struggles constitute a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in comparable cases, its new chair the official has announced.
Through a comprehensive talk, the regulator, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations associated with the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on multiple instances, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become 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 recently we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they need to be investigated and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months led to sanctions by the football authorities in June, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has represented their community in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the followers."
Inquired if the oversight body could require an proprietor to divest a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an individual club, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that chairman to fix the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of the game, over the recent generations there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their teams and eventually don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'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 "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 remarkable development accomplished might evaporate incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has come into football for the recent generations, because there are no assurances 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 next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the success and growth as an economic entity of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition of England. But at the same time, if you engage with division representatives after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in recent years.
The 68-year-old donated money to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
