'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues represent a a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair David Kogan has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations connected to the Championship side recently.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in last month.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for the English game and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in June, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where people are committed to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs 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 deemed unsuitable, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"Our least desirable course of action is begin intervening in an individual club, an individual owner, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the game, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been some owners, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the coming years."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to the team's chairman this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the extraordinary progress that's been made might evaporate swiftly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a substantial accomplishment - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has come into football for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the division as a high-quality offering of the nation. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been informing us confidentially they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in the past.
The chairman provided financial support for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my past party membership [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
