'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties represent a a "significant problem" and the football regulator is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has stated.
During an extensive discussion, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards the club's followers.
The chairman convened with four fan organizations representing the South Yorkshire club recently.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in this season, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for the English game and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they require examination and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner stated during the off-season he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May resulted in restrictions being imposed by the football authorities in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in late summer.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
Questioned about whether the authority might compel an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an particular organization, an individual owner, 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 review the record of the sport, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, not many, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the manner they have operated their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to lay out the remit of the regulator on Wednesday and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," 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.
"Considerable investment entering the sport and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Top Flight Apprehensions
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the achievement and development as an economic entity of the elite league.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering of the nation. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
