'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties represent a a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the official has announced.
Through a comprehensive talk, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations connected to the Championship side in recent days.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for English football and recently we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs submitted for our review if they need to be investigated and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in spring months caused limitations by the league officials in June, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has been part of their lives in numerous instances.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that in modern times have encountered failure, or approached financial ruin, for causes separate from the followers."
When asked if the oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and comprehend the circumstances, 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.
"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 proprietor to address the issues that the club's facing and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the game, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, a small minority, 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 coming years."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has come into football for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on risk and of course, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
