'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
The team's persistent issues constitute a "major concern" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman the official has declared.
During an extensive discussion, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations connected to the Championship side this week.
The football club have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the great brands for English football and this week we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will permit us to bring Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in June, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "The position was created for the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where people are committed to a regional establishment that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for all the clubs that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are judged inappropriate, the regulator answered: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an specific team, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of the sport, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the future."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to the current proprietor during the current campaign
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the achievement and development as an economic entity of the elite league.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But concurrently, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been advising us privately they have a considerable comfort."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in the past.
The official donated money to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my past party membership [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the regulator explained.
"I currently have no participation in any form of political activity."
