'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
The team's ongoing struggles are seen as a "major concern" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman the official has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations associated with the football team in recent days.
The football club have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," the chairman stated.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for English football and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they need to be investigated and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May led to sanctions by the football authorities in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, teams facing challenges where people are committed to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
When asked if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that forcing owners to sell clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you review the record of football, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the team's chairman during the current campaign
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" 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 sport makes errors, the extraordinary progress that's been made necessary will vanish rapidly," Kogan said.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has been invested for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition of England. But concurrently, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the Labour Party in the past.
The official contributed funds to Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, 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 political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."
