'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties represent a a "major concern" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman David Kogan has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was recently selected, expressed "sympathy" towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four fan organizations associated with the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in this season, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months resulted in restrictions being imposed by the football authorities in June, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The position was created for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate the team's plight, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
Inquired if the authority might compel an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern '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 viewed as the ultimate measure and the regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of the sport, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, not many, but particular people who have shown negligence in the way which they've been managing their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman during the current campaign
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish rapidly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the realm of domestic football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has been channeled for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the top division.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in recent years.
The 68-year-old contributed funds to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the regulator explained.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
