'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues are seen as a "serious issue" and the new football authority is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the newly appointed chairman the official has declared.
Through a comprehensive talk, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four fan organizations representing the football team recently.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in this season, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the historic institutions for the English game and recently we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year led to sanctions by the league officials in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The chairman stated: "Our role exists to serve the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves."
When asked if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are judged inappropriate, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But Kogan stressed that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.
"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an particular organization, an individual owner, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you review the record of the game, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the team's chairman in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week 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 should mistakes occur, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish rapidly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"There's an enormous amount of money entering the sport and has been channeled for the recent generations, because there's no guarantee it will continue to come into football, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an financial organization of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the division as a high-quality offering of the nation. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been informing us confidentially they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in recent years.
The chairman donated money to Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
