'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles are seen as a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to examine team situations in comparable cases, the recently named head the official has announced.
During an extensive discussion, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations connected to the Championship side in recent days.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in the current year, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for football in England and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the following recruitment periods, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a community organization that has been part of their lives in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer to work with them.
"The final option we would consider is begin intervening in an individual club, an individual owner, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that chairman to fix the issues that the club's facing and the chairman's encountering," the regulator explained.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of football, over the recent generations there have been some owners, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Wednesday followers have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances 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 challenges and obviously, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in 2020.
The official provided financial support for Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
