'We will play a key role in football's future' - football oversight chief the regulator's chair
The Championship club's current difficulties are seen as a "significant problem" and the new football authority is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four fan organizations connected to the South Yorkshire club recently.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a significant problem for EFL and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for English football and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has failed to complete a sale with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a local institution that has been part of their lives in many cases.
"I completely understand the club's situation, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the followers."
Questioned about whether the authority might compel an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, the chairman responded: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the regulator clarified that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider 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 owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the sport, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but particular people who have shown negligence in the manner they have operated their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against the team's chairman this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "high level of engagement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"The role holds considerable importance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the extraordinary progress that's been made might evaporate incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because there's no guarantee it will keep flowing into the sport, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the creation of a regulator because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an economic entity of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But concurrently, if you talk to the Premier League after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, in fact, they have been advising us privately they have a significant confidence."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the political party in 2020.
The 68-year-old donated money to government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
