'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The Championship club's persistent issues represent a a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has announced.
During an extensive discussion, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards the club's followers.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations connected to the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
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 last month.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the historic institutions for the English game and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations referred to us if they require examination and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.
Authority's Position
The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has represented their community in numerous instances.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or been close to going to the wall, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
When asked if the regulator could force an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an particular organization, an individual owner, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that chairman to fix the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the coming years."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the team's chairman this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" 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 football community fails, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish rapidly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
Top flight officials resisted 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 success and growth as an commercial operation of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of England. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League after today's meeting, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in recent years.
The official contributed funds to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
