'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator the new chairman
The Championship club's ongoing struggles represent a a "significant problem" and the new football authority is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in such situations, the recently named head the regulator has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four fan organizations connected to the football team recently.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for the English game and recently we have met supporters' organizations.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they require examination and acted upon."
Monetary Issues and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has failed to complete a sale with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May led to sanctions by the football authorities in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
When asked if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are judged inappropriate, the chairman responded: "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 viewed as the ultimate measure and the regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is begin intervening in an specific team, an individual owner, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of football, over the recent generations there have been certain proprietors, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The chairman convened with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, 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 regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has come into football for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an financial organization of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But concurrently, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been informing us confidentially they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in recent years.
The official provided financial support for government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
