'We are going to be a part of football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
The Championship club's current difficulties represent a a "major concern" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in comparable cases, its new chair the regulator has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations representing the football team recently.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in this season, with the club delaying salary disbursements on multiple instances, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the great brands for the English game and recently we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs submitted for our review if they require examination and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in spring months caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in June, preventing the club from carrying out any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
When asked if the authority might compel an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "When asking whether '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 forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the regulator would prefer to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you examine the past of football, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to the current proprietor in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to lay out the remit of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "substantial involvement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the extraordinary progress that's been made might evaporate rapidly," the regulator warned.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"There's an enormous amount of money flowing into the game and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on risk and of course, of the coming seasons."
Premier League Concerns
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the success and growth as an economic entity of the top division.
"As someone who appreciates the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition of England. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been advising us privately they have a considerable comfort."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in recent years.
The 68-year-old donated money to Culture Secretary 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 parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
