'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief David Kogan
The team's current difficulties represent a a "serious issue" and the new football authority is seeking powers to look into club affairs in such situations, its new chair David Kogan has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations representing the football team this week.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in this season, with the club failing to pay players on time on several different times, including in last month.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for the English game and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will permit us to bring Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Proprietorship Status
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has failed to complete a sale with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, teams facing challenges where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I completely understand the club's situation, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the authority would rather to work with them.
"The final option we would consider is begin intervening in an individual club, an individual owner, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history 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 clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The chairman convened with delegates from multiple organizations to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish swiftly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been channeled for the past two decades, because there's no guarantee it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in the past.
The official provided financial support for government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I've been completely open about my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
