'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "serious issue" and the football regulator is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in such situations, the recently named head the regulator has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporter groups connected to the football team this week.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for the English game and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will permit us to bring Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs submitted for our review if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri stated during the off-season he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has failed to complete a sale with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a regional establishment that has been part of their lives in many cases.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the regulator answered: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an individual club, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the issues that the club's facing and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, not many, but particular people who have shown negligence in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The chairman convened with officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish rapidly," the chairman stated.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has come into football for the past two decades, because there's no guarantee it will keep flowing into the sport, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an financial organization of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the concern of undermining the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
The chairman continues to confront a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The chairman donated money to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, 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 official body endorsed my nomination," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."
