'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues constitute a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair David Kogan has stated.
During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four supporter groups associated with the South Yorkshire club in recent days.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"The club represents one of the great brands for football in England and recently 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 dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has failed to complete a sale with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or approached financial ruin, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an chairman to relinquish a club if they are judged inappropriate, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," the chairman stated.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of the game, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if errors are made, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved might evaporate incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources coming into football and has been channeled for the recent generations, because there's no guarantee 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."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an economic entity of the top division.
"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering of the nation. But concurrently, if you engage with division representatives after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
The chairman continues to confront a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in the past.
The 68-year-old donated money to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
