'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
The team's ongoing struggles are seen as a "major concern" and the new football authority is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in such situations, the recently named head the official has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations representing the Championship side in recent days.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for football in England and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs submitted for our review if they require examination and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May caused limitations by the football authorities in summer, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the following recruitment periods, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I fully appreciate the team's plight, as I do for every team that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the supporters."
When asked if the authority might compel 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 answer is once we collect the information and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"The final option we would consider is begin intervening in an individual club, an individual owner, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"In actuality, when you review the record of the sport, over the past few decades there have been some owners, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Owls fans have been protesting against the current proprietor this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The chairman convened with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish rapidly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has been invested for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will continue to come into football, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I fully support the prosperity and expansion as an commercial operation of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of England. But concurrently, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been informing us confidentially they have a high level of reassurance."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in the past.
The official 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 ideological connection terminated the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I currently have no participation in any form of political activity."
