'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The Championship club's current difficulties represent a a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in such situations, its new chair the official has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was recently selected, showed understanding towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporter groups associated with the South Yorkshire club recently.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for the English game and in recent days we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Monetary Issues and Ownership Situation
The team's struggling chairman the Thai businessman stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in earlier this year led to sanctions by the football authorities in June, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the following recruitment periods, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has represented their community in numerous instances.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the followers."
When asked if the authority might compel an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be considered the final option and the regulator would prefer to work with them.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an individual club, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of the sport, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri during the current campaign
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish swiftly," the chairman stated.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, 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
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an financial organization of the top division.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the division as a high-quality offering of this country. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after today's meeting, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in the past.
The 68-year-old contributed funds to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the politician's campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my past party membership [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any sort of politics."
