'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The team's persistent issues represent a a "serious issue" and the new football authority is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations associated with the South Yorkshire club this week.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," the regulator explained.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will permit us to bring Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they require examination and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner stated during the off-season he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Failure to pay player wages on time in March and May resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in June, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has represented their community in many cases.
"I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
When asked if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, the regulator answered: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we assemble the facts and know what's going on, we will."
But the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be considered the final option and the regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an particular organization, an individual owner, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of football, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, not many, but particular people who have shown negligence in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish swiftly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"There's an enormous amount of money flowing into the game and has come into football 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 adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the immediate future."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an economic entity of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the division as a high-quality offering of the nation. But concurrently, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I've been completely open about my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any sort of politics."
