'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator the new chairman
The Championship club's current difficulties are seen as a "major concern" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to examine team situations in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman the official has announced.
During an extensive discussion, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations representing the South Yorkshire club this week.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands 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 warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman 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 potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May led to sanctions by the football authorities in June, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "Our role exists to serve the supporters of Wednesday, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
Inquired if the regulator could force an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an individual club, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you review the record of the game, over the recent generations there have been certain proprietors, few in number, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear rapidly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"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 keep flowing into the sport, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been advising us privately they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in recent years.
The official provided financial support for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
