'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in comparable cases, the recently named head David Kogan has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations associated with the Championship side this week.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club failing to pay players on time on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for football in England and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs submitted for our review if they require examination and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months caused limitations by the league officials in June, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the following recruitment periods, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The position was created for the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated 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 each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an chairman to relinquish a club if they are judged inappropriate, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But Kogan stressed that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an individual club, an individual owner, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of the game, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the coming years."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the current proprietor in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The chairman convened with representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear rapidly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has come into football for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an economic entity of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging 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 significant degree of comfort -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 Commissioner for Public Appointments after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in the past.
The chairman provided financial support for 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 official body endorsed my nomination," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
