'Our role is integral to football's future' - newly appointed regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues constitute a "major concern" and the new football authority is seeking powers to investigate clubs in such situations, the recently named head David Kogan has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups representing the Championship side this week.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a significant problem for EFL and a substantial concern for English football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for English football and recently we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they need to be investigated and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any recruitment activities for the following recruitment periods, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The position was created for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the followers."
Inquired if the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you examine the past of football, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, few in number, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the coming years."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a huge success story - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because there's no guarantee it will persist in entering the game, 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."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the success and growth as an financial organization of the top division.
"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the top flight as an elite competition of the nation. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League after today's meeting, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in recent years.
The official contributed funds to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
