'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles represent a a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to examine team situations in comparable cases, the recently named head the regulator has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations representing the South Yorkshire club this week.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the historic institutions for English football and this week 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 addressed."
Monetary Issues and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has failed to complete a sale with interested parties.
Failure to pay player wages on time in March and May led to sanctions by the league officials in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in August.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the followers."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are considered unfit, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is begin intervening in an specific team, an individual owner, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of the sport, over the recent generations there have been some owners, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been voicing opposition to the team's chairman this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "substantial involvement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"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 could disappear swiftly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources coming into football and has been channeled for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the immediate future."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But concurrently, if you engage with division representatives 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 considerable comfort."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in the past.
The chairman contributed funds to government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
