'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles represent a a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the recently named head David Kogan has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations representing the South Yorkshire club this week.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, 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 in recent days we have met supporters' organizations.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "Our role exists to serve the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has been part of their lives in numerous instances.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
When asked if the authority might compel an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is 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 regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the challenges confronting the team and the proprietor's dealing with," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, not many, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been protesting against the current proprietor during the current campaign
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear rapidly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been invested for the recent generations, because there's no guarantee it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition of England. But concurrently, if you talk to the Premier League after today's meeting, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been advising us privately they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in recent years.
The official donated money to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I've been completely open about my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
