'We will play a key role in football's future' - football oversight chief the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles represent a a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the newly appointed chairman the official has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was recently selected, expressed "sympathy" towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four fan organizations connected to the football team in recent days.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in last month.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for English football and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs brought to our attention if they require examination and acted upon."
Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the league officials in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the following recruitment periods, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or been close to going to the wall, for reasons that have nothing to do with the fans themselves."
Inquired if the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an individual club, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the issues that the club's facing and the proprietor's dealing with," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of the sport, over the past few decades there have been some owners, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against the current proprietor this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved could disappear incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been channeled for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an economic entity of the elite league.
"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the division as a high-quality offering of England. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after today's meeting, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in recent years.
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 ideological connection terminated the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
