'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties represent a a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in comparable cases, the recently named head the regulator has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four fan organizations associated with the football team this week.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on multiple instances, including in last month.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for the English game and in recent days we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they require examination and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has failed to complete a sale with prospective buyers.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months led to sanctions by the league officials in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for each organization that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the followers."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force 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 answer is once we assemble the facts and know what's going on, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an specific team, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the sport, over the recent generations there have been some owners, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the future."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate swiftly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"There's an enormous amount of money entering the sport and has come into football for the recent generations, because there's no guarantee it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective 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 regulator stated: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the division as a high-quality offering of England. But simultaneously, if you engage with division representatives 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 considerable comfort."
Ideological Links
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in recent years.
The official contributed funds to government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have fully disclosed my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
