'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, the recently named head David Kogan has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations connected to the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on multiple instances, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for English football and recently we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be open to selling the club at their home ground, but he has failed to complete a sale 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 following recruitment periods, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I fully appreciate the team's plight, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or been close to going to the wall, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
Inquired if the oversight body could require 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 assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an specific team, an individual owner, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the sport, over the recent generations there have been certain proprietors, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the future."
Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "substantial involvement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the extraordinary progress that's been made might evaporate swiftly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition of the nation. But simultaneously, if you engage with division representatives after this week's discussion, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been advising us privately they have a considerable comfort."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the political party in recent years.
The official contributed funds to Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
