'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties represent a a "major concern" and the new football authority is seeking powers to investigate clubs in comparable cases, the recently named head the regulator has stated.
During an extensive discussion, Kogan, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four fan organizations representing the Championship side recently.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in the current year, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the historic institutions for English football and this week we have met supporters' organizations.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns
The team's struggling chairman Dejphon Chansiri stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the followers."
Inquired if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the issues that the club's facing and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, 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."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the team's chairman in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has come into football for the past two decades, because there's no guarantee it will keep flowing into the sport, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on risk and of course, of the coming seasons."
Top Flight Apprehensions
The Premier League opposed the creation of a regulator because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But concurrently, if you engage with division representatives after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."
Ideological Links
Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in the past.
The chairman contributed funds to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [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 type of partisan engagement."
