'Our role is integral to football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "serious issue" and the football regulator is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in comparable cases, the recently named head the regulator has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations associated with the South Yorkshire club recently.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for English football and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the league officials in June, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a regional establishment that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or approached financial ruin, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
Inquired if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"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 proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you examine the past of football, over the recent generations there have been some owners, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the manner they have operated their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Wednesday followers have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the extraordinary progress that's been made necessary will vanish swiftly," the chairman stated.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because there's no guarantee it will continue to come into football, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in the past.
The chairman donated money to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the official body endorsed my nomination," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any sort of politics."
