'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The Championship club's current difficulties represent a a "significant problem" and the new football authority is seeking powers to examine team situations in such situations, its new chair the official has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was recently selected, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations associated with the football team this week.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in September.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for the English game and recently we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they require examination and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner stated during the off-season he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
Inquired if the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an individual club, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"In actuality, when you review the record of the game, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the current proprietor in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear swiftly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the realm of domestic football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has been invested for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an commercial operation of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But concurrently, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, 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 parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
