'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles are seen as a "serious issue" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in comparable cases, its new chair David Kogan has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was recently selected, expressed "sympathy" towards the club's followers.
The regulator engaged with four supporter groups representing the South Yorkshire club recently.
The Championship side have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on multiple instances, including in September.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for the English game and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations referred to us if they need to be investigated and acted upon."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner stated during the off-season he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has failed to complete a sale with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a regional establishment that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
Inquired if the authority might compel an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed 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 commence engagement with an specific team, an specific proprietor, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of the game, over the past few decades 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 long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman this season
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with representatives from 110 clubs to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the realm of domestic football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been invested for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will continue to come into football, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the elite division's competitive balance, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an commercial operation of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of England. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in the past.
The chairman provided financial support for Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I've been completely open about my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
