'We are going to be a part of football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles represent a a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair David Kogan has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards the club's followers.
Kogan met with four supporter groups representing the Championship side this week.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for the English game and this week we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations referred to us if they require examination and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Leadership Concerns
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman stated during the off-season he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May caused limitations by the league officials in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I completely understand the club's situation, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the followers."
When asked if the authority might compel an chairman to relinquish a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the regulator would prefer to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an specific team, an particular chairman, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the issues that the club's facing and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you review the record of the sport, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually don't wish to take responsibility for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The chairman convened with officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "high level of engagement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"The role holds considerable importance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the extraordinary progress that's been made necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources coming into football 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 part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an economic entity of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the top flight as an elite competition of the nation. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in 2020.
The chairman contributed funds to government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any sort of politics."
