'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues represent a a "major concern" and the new football authority is seeking powers to investigate clubs in comparable cases, its new chair the regulator has announced.
Through a comprehensive talk, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations representing the football team this week.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... 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
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May caused limitations by the league officials in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Authority's Position
The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a regional establishment that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
When asked if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we collect the information and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"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, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The chairman convened with delegates from multiple organizations to lay out the remit of the regulator on Wednesday and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the extraordinary progress that's been made might evaporate rapidly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on risk and of course, of the coming seasons."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the success and growth as an economic entity of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been informing us confidentially they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the opposition group in the past.
The chairman donated money to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the minister's leadership bid, 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 chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."