'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles represent a a "major concern" and the football regulator is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman David Kogan has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations associated with the Championship side this week.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for football in England and recently we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the league officials in June, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "Our role exists to serve the supporters of Wednesday, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for every team that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for causes separate from the supporters."
When asked if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an specific team, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," the regulator explained.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of football, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against the team's chairman during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish rapidly," the chairman stated.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a huge success story - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has come into football for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I fully support the achievement and development 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 at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in the past.
The chairman provided financial support for 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 political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
