'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "major concern" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has declared.
During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups connected to the football team in recent days.
The Championship side have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in this season, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"The club represents one of the great brands for football in England and this week we have met fan representatives.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May led to sanctions by the league officials in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any recruitment activities for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Official's Viewpoint
The regulator explained: "The position was created for the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
When asked if the authority might compel an proprietor to divest 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 know what's going on, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you review the record of the game, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, not many, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to lay out the remit of the authority recently and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish rapidly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources coming into football and has been invested for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, actually, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
The chairman continues to confront a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in 2020.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have fully disclosed my past party membership [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."
