'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
The team's ongoing struggles constitute a "major concern" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in comparable cases, the recently named head the official has stated.
Through a comprehensive talk, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporter groups connected to the football team this week.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on multiple instances, including in last month.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," the regulator explained.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the historic institutions for the English game and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations referred to us if they require examination and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has failed to complete a sale with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months caused limitations by the league officials in June, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the following recruitment periods, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has represented their community in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the followers."
When asked if the oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to work with them.
"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that chairman to fix the challenges confronting the team and the proprietor's dealing with," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of the game, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate swiftly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been channeled for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I fully support the success and growth as an economic entity of the top division.
"I of all people understand the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering of England. 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, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in the past.
The official contributed funds to Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I've been completely open about my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
