'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
The team's current difficulties are seen as a "serious issue" and the new football authority is seeking powers to investigate clubs in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the official has announced.
During an extensive discussion, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, showed understanding towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations representing the football team recently.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the historic institutions for English football and this week we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club 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 English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, teams facing challenges where supporters are loyal to a local institution that has represented their community in many cases.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the followers."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the regulator answered: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer 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 proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you review the record of the game, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against the team's chairman during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear rapidly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been channeled for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Top flight officials resisted 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.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of the nation. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after today's meeting, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in recent years.
The chairman donated money to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any sort of politics."
