'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles are seen as a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in comparable cases, the recently named head the regulator has declared.
Through a comprehensive talk, the chairman, who was recently selected, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four fan organizations connected to the South Yorkshire club recently.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in the current year, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for football in England and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases submitted for our review if they need to be investigated and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a local institution that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the followers."
Inquired if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we assemble the facts and know what's going on, we will."
But the regulator clarified that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an individual club, an individual owner, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you review the record of football, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, not many, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the future."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the world of football gets it wrong, the extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear swiftly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we've got to keep it going.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has been invested for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on potential dangers and naturally, of the immediate future."
Top Flight Apprehensions
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the top flight as an elite competition of the nation. But concurrently, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I've been completely open about my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any form of political activity."
