'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "significant problem" and the new football authority is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair the regulator has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards the club's followers.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations connected to the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a major concern for the league and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and recently we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
The team's struggling chairman the current owner suggested earlier this year 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 resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in mid-year, 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.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a regional establishment that has been part of their lives in numerous instances.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
Inquired if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, 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.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an individual owner, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of the game, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the way which they've been managing their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the future."
Owls fans have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri during the current campaign
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"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 might evaporate swiftly," the regulator warned.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has been invested for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the top division.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the political party in recent years.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I currently have no participation in any sort of politics."
