'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
The Championship club's ongoing struggles are seen as a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has stated.
During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups representing the football team this week.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in this season, with the club failing to pay players on time on several different times, including in September.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for English football and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they require examination and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Leadership Concerns
The team's struggling chairman the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May led to sanctions by the football authorities in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the club's situation, as I do for every team that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for causes separate from the supporters."
Inquired if the authority might compel an proprietor to divest a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But Kogan stressed that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an individual owner, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the game, over the past few decades there have been some owners, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the coming years."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the authority recently and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" 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 might evaporate incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we've got to keep it going.
"There's an enormous amount of money flowing into the game and has come into football for the recent generations, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to take a really clear view on risk and of course, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "comprehensive investigation" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in recent years.
The 68-year-old donated money to Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."
