'We are going to be a part of football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
The team's ongoing struggles constitute a "serious issue" and the football regulator is seeking powers to examine team situations in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman the official has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met 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 missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for English football and recently we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they require examination and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months caused limitations by the football authorities in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any recruitment activities for the following recruitment periods, although the ban was rescinded in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "Our role exists to serve the supporters of Wednesday, teams facing challenges where supporters are loyal to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization 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."
When asked if the authority might compel an chairman to relinquish a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an specific team, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of the game, over the past few decades there have been some owners, not many, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the way which they've been managing their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the team's chairman during the current campaign
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with delegates from multiple organizations to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the extraordinary progress that's been made necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"Considerable investment 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 part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the immediate future."
Elite Division Worries
Top flight officials resisted the formation of an authority because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an economic entity of the top division.
"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 consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been advising us privately they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in the past.
The official donated money to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
