'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "significant problem" and the football regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has announced.
During an extensive discussion, Kogan, who was recently selected, expressed "sympathy" towards the club's followers.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations representing the Championship side in recent days.
The football club have been struggling on and off the field 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 substantial concern for English football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for football in England 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 brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns
The team's struggling chairman the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has failed to complete a sale with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May caused limitations by the league officials in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves."
When asked if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern '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 viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the issues that the club's facing and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of the game, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been protesting against the current proprietor this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the authority recently and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish 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.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the top division.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the division as a high-quality offering of England. But concurrently, if you engage with division representatives after today's meeting, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he acknowledged providing funds to the Labour 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 been entirely transparent regarding my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
