'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The team's persistent issues constitute a "significant problem" and the new football authority is seeking powers to investigate clubs in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the official has declared.
Through a comprehensive talk, the regulator, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations associated with the South Yorkshire club this week.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for the English game and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they need to be investigated and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be open to selling the club at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, blocking the team from conducting any recruitment activities for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a regional establishment that has represented their community in numerous instances.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for causes separate from the followers."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of football, over the recent generations there have been some owners, a small minority, but particular people who have shown negligence in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Owls fans have been protesting against the current proprietor this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable 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 been channeled for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I'm absolutely committed to the success and growth as an commercial operation of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering 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 high level of reassurance -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a considerable comfort."
Ideological Links
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in recent years.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have fully disclosed my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the regulator explained.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
