'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles constitute a "significant problem" and the football regulator is looking to gain the ability to examine team situations in comparable cases, the recently named head the official has declared.
During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporter groups representing the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in last month.
"Obviously the club has become a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," the regulator explained.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for English football and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations referred to us if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Monetary Issues and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in August.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has represented their community in many cases.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for each organization that in modern times have encountered failure, or approached financial ruin, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, the regulator answered: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"Our least desirable course of action is begin intervening in an individual club, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that chairman to fix the issues that the club's facing and the owner's facing," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of the sport, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the current proprietor this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The chairman convened with officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the authority recently and stated it constituted a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" 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 football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we've got to keep it going.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has been channeled for the recent generations, 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 risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an economic entity of the top division.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the division as a high-quality offering of England. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."
Ideological Links
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in recent years.
The chairman contributed funds to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any sort of politics."
