'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The team's persistent issues are seen as a "serious issue" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in such situations, the recently named head the regulator has stated.
During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations representing the football team this week.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in this season, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for English football and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Monetary Issues and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has failed to complete a sale with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months caused limitations by the league officials in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, teams facing challenges where supporters are loyal to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I have absolute sympathy for the club's situation, as I do for all the clubs that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
Questioned about whether the authority might compel an proprietor to divest a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we assemble the facts and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the game, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the team's chairman during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" 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 extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear rapidly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has been invested for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will continue to come into football, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the top division.
"Being fully aware of 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 substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in the past.
The official contributed funds to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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 party membership ceased the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the chairman stated.
"I currently have no participation in any sort of politics."
