'We will play a key role in football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
The team's current difficulties constitute a "significant problem" and the new football authority is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the recently named head the regulator has announced.
Through a comprehensive talk, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged 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 several different times, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May caused limitations by the league officials in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has been part of their lives in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the club's situation, as I do for all the clubs 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 proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option 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 particular chairman, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the coming years."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with delegates from multiple organizations to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the significant advances achieved could disappear swiftly," the chairman stated.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"There's an enormous amount of money entering the sport and has been invested for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the success and growth as an financial organization of the top division.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been informing us confidentially they have a high level of reassurance."
Ideological Links
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in the past.
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 have fully disclosed my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
