'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties are seen as a "major concern" and the new football authority is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in such situations, its new chair the official has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations representing the Championship side this week.
The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in this season, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the great brands for English football and recently we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they require examination and acted upon."
Monetary Issues and Ownership Situation
The team's struggling chairman the current owner indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has failed to complete a sale with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months caused limitations by the league officials in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has represented their community in many cases.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that in modern times have encountered failure, or approached financial ruin, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the regulator clarified that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an specific team, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the sport, over the past few decades there have been some owners, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the future."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish swiftly," the chairman stated.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has come into football for the past two decades, 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 risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an economic entity of the top division.
"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the division as a high-quality offering of England. But at the same time, if you engage with division representatives after today's meeting, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "comprehensive investigation" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the Labour Party in recent years.
The chairman donated money to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I've been completely open about my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the official body endorsed my nomination," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."
