'We are going to be a part of football's future' - newly appointed regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties represent a a "serious issue" and the new football authority is looking to gain the ability to examine team situations in such situations, its new chair the official has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporter groups representing the South Yorkshire club recently.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the historic institutions for English football and recently we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri stated during the off-season he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months caused limitations by the league officials in June, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I have absolute sympathy for the club's situation, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
Inquired if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But Kogan stressed that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is commence engagement with an individual club, an individual owner, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you examine the past of the sport, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman this season
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the authority recently and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "substantial involvement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate swiftly," the chairman stated.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"There's an enormous amount of money entering the sport and has come into football for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, 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."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an financial organization of the elite league.
"I of all people understand the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of the nation. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been advising us privately they have a considerable comfort."
Ideological Links
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in the past.
The official contributed funds to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"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 regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any sort of politics."
