'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles are seen as a "major concern" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards the club's followers.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations connected to the South Yorkshire club recently.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in this season, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and recently we have met supporters' organizations.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will permit us to bring Wednesday and comparable cases referred to us if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
The team's struggling chairman the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May led to sanctions by the football authorities in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the following recruitment periods, although the ban was rescinded in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I completely understand the club's situation, as I do for each organization that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
When asked if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," the regulator explained.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, few in number, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" 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 significant advances achieved necessary will vanish swiftly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been channeled for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, 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 elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the elite league.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in 2020.
The official contributed funds to government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
