'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 "significant problem" and the football regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in such situations, its new chair the official has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four fan organizations associated with the Championship side recently.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in this season, with the club failing to pay players on time on several different times, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for football in England and recently we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs brought to our attention if they need to be investigated and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Failure to pay player wages on time in earlier this year resulted in restrictions being imposed by the football authorities in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the following recruitment periods, although the ban was rescinded in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has represented their community in many cases.
"I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish 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 forcing owners to sell clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is begin intervening in an particular organization, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of the game, over the recent generations there have been some owners, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the coming years."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the current proprietor during the current campaign
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The chairman convened with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a huge success story - we've got to keep it going.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because there's no guarantee it will keep flowing into the sport, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I fully support the achievement and development as an financial organization of the elite league.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product 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, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Ideological Links
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in the past.
The chairman contributed funds to government minister the politician's campaign, 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 political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
