'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The team's persistent issues constitute a "serious issue" and the football regulator is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations associated with the Championship side recently.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a major concern for the league and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for football in England and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will permit us to bring Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they require examination and dealt with."
Monetary Issues and Proprietorship Status
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The regulator explained: "Our role exists to serve the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has represented their community in many cases.
"I fully appreciate the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
When asked if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the challenges confronting the team and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of football, over the recent generations there have been some owners, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation 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'
The chairman convened with representatives from 110 clubs to lay out the remit of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has been invested for the recent generations, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the prosperity and expansion as an commercial operation of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after today's meeting, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in recent years.
The chairman contributed funds to Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the official body endorsed my nomination," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
