'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The Championship club's ongoing struggles represent a a "major concern" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to look into club affairs in such situations, its new chair the regulator has stated.
During an extensive discussion, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards the club's followers.
Kogan met with four supporter groups representing the South Yorkshire club recently.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on multiple instances, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and recently we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner indicated in the summer he would be open to selling the club at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Failure to pay player wages on time in spring months caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the following recruitment periods, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or approached financial ruin, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But the regulator clarified that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of football, over the past few decades there have been some owners, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been demonstrating against the current proprietor this season
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on risk and of course, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I fully support the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in recent years.
The official contributed funds to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
