'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
The Championship club's persistent issues constitute a "significant problem" and the new football authority is seeking powers to look into club affairs in comparable cases, the recently named head the regulator has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations representing the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year resulted in restrictions being imposed by the football authorities in summer, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the followers."
Inquired if the authority might compel an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the regulator answered: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is begin intervening in an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the issues that the club's facing and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of the game, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the way which they've been managing their clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The chairman convened with representatives from 110 clubs to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate rapidly," the chairman stated.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has been invested for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the immediate future."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the division as a high-quality offering of England. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been advising us privately they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in 2020.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."
