'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
The Championship club's ongoing struggles constitute a "significant problem" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in comparable cases, the recently named head the regulator has stated.
Through a comprehensive talk, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations connected to the South Yorkshire club recently.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL 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 Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they need to be investigated and acted upon."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman stated during the off-season he would be open to selling the club at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year resulted in restrictions being imposed by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where people are committed to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
When asked if the authority might compel an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern '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 the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is begin intervening in an particular organization, an individual owner, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been particular chairmen, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to the team's chairman this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The chairman convened with officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the authority recently and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish swiftly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has been invested for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on challenges and obviously, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the prosperity and expansion as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But concurrently, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "comprehensive investigation" by the public appointments commissioner after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in 2020.
The chairman donated money to government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
