'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues represent a a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to examine team situations in similar circumstances, the newly appointed chairman the official has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations connected to the South Yorkshire club this week.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league 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 are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in spring months caused limitations by the football authorities in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or approached financial ruin, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish 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 assemble the facts and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the regulator clarified that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an individual club, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you examine the past of the sport, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, not many, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the current proprietor during the current campaign
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "substantial involvement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because should mistakes occur, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish rapidly," the regulator warned.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has been channeled for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the creation of a regulator because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an economic entity of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the division as a high-quality offering of this country. But simultaneously, if you engage with division representatives after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he revealed he contributed money to the opposition group in 2020.
The official contributed funds to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have fully disclosed my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
