'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The Championship club's ongoing struggles represent a a "significant problem" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, its new chair the regulator has stated.
Through a comprehensive talk, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations associated with the Championship side this week.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in the current year, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in September.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for the English game and recently we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations referred to us if they require examination and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Proprietorship Status
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May caused limitations by the league officials in June, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I completely understand the club's situation, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
When asked if the oversight body could require 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 assemble the facts and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the regulator explained.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of the sport, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, few in number, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" 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 might evaporate incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been invested for the past two decades, because there's no guarantee it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I fully support the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But at the same time, if you engage with division representatives after the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been advising us privately they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in recent years.
The chairman donated money to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
