'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "major concern" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations representing the Championship side this week.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a substantial concern for English football," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for the English game and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May resulted in restrictions being imposed by the football authorities in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "Our role exists to serve the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, teams facing challenges where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate the team's plight, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or approached financial ruin, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
When asked if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are judged inappropriate, the regulator answered: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the authority would rather to work with them.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the issues that the club's facing and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you review the record of the game, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against the team's chairman in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate swiftly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"There's an enormous amount of money flowing into the game and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, 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 potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the success and growth as an economic entity of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, actually, they have been informing us confidentially they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the political party in recent years.
The 68-year-old donated money to Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any sort of politics."
