'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "major concern" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to examine team situations in similar circumstances, its new chair the regulator has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations connected to the Championship side this week.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in this season, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in last month.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they require examination and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri stated during the off-season he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has failed to complete a sale with interested parties.
Failure to pay player wages on time in March and May led to sanctions by the league officials in June, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the following recruitment periods, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "The position was created for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has been part of their lives in many cases.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization 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."
Inquired if the oversight body could require an proprietor to divest a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we assemble the facts and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"Our least desirable course of action 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," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you review the record of the game, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, 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 long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to detail the scope of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if errors are made, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources coming into football and has been channeled for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the prosperity and expansion as an commercial operation of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of England. But simultaneously, if you engage with division representatives after today's meeting, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the opposition group in recent years.
The chairman contributed funds to government minister 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 select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.
"I currently have no participation in any sort of politics."
