'We are going to be a part of football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "serious issue" and the new football authority is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in such situations, its new chair David Kogan has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations representing the South Yorkshire club this week.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the great brands for the English game 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 submitted for our review if they require examination and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in earlier this year led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in June, stopping Wednesday from completing any recruitment activities for the following recruitment periods, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, teams facing challenges where supporters are loyal to a local institution that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
Inquired if the regulator could force an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that forcing owners to sell clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved could disappear swiftly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources coming into football and has been invested for the recent generations, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, 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
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But simultaneously, if you engage with division representatives after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, in fact, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The 68-year-old donated money to Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
