'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles constitute a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair David Kogan has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was recently selected, showed understanding towards the club's followers.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations associated with the football team recently.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for English football and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has failed to complete a sale with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in earlier this year led to sanctions by the league officials in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Authority's Position
The regulator explained: "The position was created for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for each organization that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
When asked if the oversight body could require an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, the chairman responded: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the proprietor's dealing with," the regulator explained.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of football, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, few in number, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to the current proprietor this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the extraordinary progress that's been made necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources coming into football and has been invested for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I fully support the achievement and development as an economic entity of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
The chairman continues to confront a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in the past.
The official provided financial support for government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any sort of politics."
