'Our role is integral to football's future' - newly appointed regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the recently named head the official has announced.
During an extensive discussion, Kogan, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups representing the football team this week.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the historic institutions for English football and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they require examination and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in spring months caused limitations by the league officials in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any recruitment activities for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the followers."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" 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 particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of football, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the coming years."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against the team's chairman this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved could disappear swiftly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the realm of domestic football is a major achievement - 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 persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the immediate future."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an financial organization of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But at the same time, if you engage with division representatives after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been advising us privately they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the Labour Party in recent years.
The chairman provided financial support for government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
