'We are going to be a part of football's future' - newly appointed regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles constitute a "serious issue" and the football regulator is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in comparable cases, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has declared.
During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The regulator engaged with four supporter groups connected to the South Yorkshire club recently.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the iconic names for football in England and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations referred to us if they require examination and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Official's Viewpoint
The regulator explained: "Our role exists to serve the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves."
Inquired if the regulator could force an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be considered the final option and the regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an individual club, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of football, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the team's chairman in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved might evaporate rapidly," Kogan said.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a substantial accomplishment - we need to continue the progress.
"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has come into football for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I fully support the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the top division.
"I of all people understand the concern of undermining the top flight as an elite competition of England. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been advising us privately they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The 68-year-old donated money to Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."
