'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
The team's current difficulties constitute a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was recently selected, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations representing the football team in recent days.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on multiple instances, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for English football and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
The team's struggling chairman the current owner indicated in the summer he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months caused limitations by the football authorities in June, stopping Wednesday from completing any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The regulator explained: "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 represented their community in many cases.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
When asked if the oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, 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 chairman emphasized that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an specific team, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the issues that the club's facing and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you examine the past of the game, over the past few decades there have been some owners, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their teams and eventually don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear rapidly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a substantial accomplishment - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed 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 economic entity of the top division.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of England. But at the same time, if you engage with division representatives after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the political party in 2020.
The 68-year-old donated money to Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the official body endorsed my nomination," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
