'We will play a key role in football's future' - football oversight chief the regulator's chair
The team's persistent issues are seen as a "significant problem" and the new football authority is seeking powers to look into club affairs in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the official has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporter groups connected to the Championship side recently.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in last month.
"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 iconic names for the English game and this week we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they require examination and acted upon."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has failed to complete a sale with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months led to sanctions by the league officials in summer, blocking the team from conducting any recruitment activities for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
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 regional establishment that has represented their community in numerous instances.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves."
When asked if the oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, the regulator answered: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being in a position to cooperate with that chairman to fix the issues that the club's facing and the proprietor's dealing with," the regulator explained.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of the sport, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to lay out the remit of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish swiftly," the chairman stated.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the coming seasons."
Premier League Concerns
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an financial organization of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the opposition group in the past.
The 68-year-old donated money to government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
