'Our role is integral to football's future' - football oversight chief the regulator's chair
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in such situations, the recently named head the official has announced.
Through a comprehensive talk, Kogan, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations connected to the Championship side this week.
The football club 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 the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the great brands for English football and recently we have met fan representatives.
"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."
Monetary Issues and Proprietorship Status
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at their home ground, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Missed wage deadlines on time in spring months caused limitations by the football authorities in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the following recruitment periods, although those limitations were removed in August.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
When asked if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern '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 regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the regulator would prefer to work with them.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an specific team, an individual owner, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the regulator explained.
"In actuality, when you examine the past of the sport, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the coming years."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against the current proprietor in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish swiftly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we need to continue the progress.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has been invested for the recent generations, because there's no guarantee it will persist in entering the game, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to take a really clear view on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
The Premier League opposed the establishment of an oversight body because of concerns about detrimental effects on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I completely endorse the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the worry about compromising the division as a high-quality offering of this country. But concurrently, 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 telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
