'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
The Championship club's ongoing struggles represent a a "serious issue" and the new football authority is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporter groups representing the Championship side in recent days.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the historic institutions for the English game and in recent days we have met supporters' organizations.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs brought to our attention if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner stated during the off-season he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in March and May led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in June, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where people are committed to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the supporters."
When asked if the oversight body could require an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, the regulator answered: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an individual club, an particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that chairman to fix the challenges confronting the team and the proprietor's dealing with," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the sport, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been demonstrating against the team's chairman in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and stated it constituted a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish swiftly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has been invested for the recent generations, because there's no guarantee it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the immediate future."
Elite Division Worries
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the elite division's competitive balance, but the regulator stated: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering of the nation. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, actually, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in recent years.
The 68-year-old donated money to government minister the politician's 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," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."