'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues constitute a "major concern" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, the recently named head the regulator has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups representing the Championship side recently.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the historic institutions for English football and this week we have met supporters' organizations.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in spring months resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in summer, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves."
Questioned about whether the authority might compel an chairman to relinquish a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the regulator would prefer to work with them.
"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an specific team, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of football, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the National League to the Premier League.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish rapidly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been invested for the recent generations, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the division as a high-quality offering of this country. But concurrently, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, actually, they have been informing us confidentially they have a high level of reassurance."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the Labour Party in the past.
The chairman provided financial support for government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I've been completely open about my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."