'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair the regulator has announced.
During an extensive discussion, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups representing the football team in recent days.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"The club represents one of the great brands for the English game and recently we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they need to be investigated and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months resulted in restrictions being imposed by the English Football League (EFL) in June, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, teams facing challenges where supporters are loyal to a local institution that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
When asked if the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, the regulator answered: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we assemble the facts 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 regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an individual club, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of the game, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with 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 National League to the Premier League.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we need to continue the progress.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has come into football for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will continue to come into football, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on challenges and obviously, 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 top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I fully support the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering of the nation. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The chairman provided financial support for government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I've been completely open about my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
