'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties represent a a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in similar circumstances, the recently named head the official has announced.
Through a comprehensive talk, Kogan, who was recently selected, expressed "sympathy" towards the club's followers.
Kogan met with four supporter groups representing the football team this week.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for football in England and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs brought to our attention if they need to be investigated and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May caused limitations by the football authorities in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I completely understand the club's situation, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
Inquired if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" 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 individual owner, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that chairman to fix the issues that the club's facing and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you review the record of the game, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, not many, but particular people who have shown negligence in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been demonstrating against the team's chairman this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate swiftly," the chairman stated.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we've got to keep it going.
"There's an enormous amount of money entering the sport and has been channeled for the recent generations, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I fully support the prosperity and expansion as an commercial operation of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering of England. But at the same time, if you engage with division representatives after this week's discussion, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been informing us confidentially they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the opposition group in the past.
The chairman contributed funds to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the politician's campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
