'We will play a key role in football's future' - football oversight chief David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "serious issue" and the football regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the recently named head the official has announced.
Through a comprehensive talk, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, showed understanding towards the club's followers.
Kogan met with four supporter groups representing the Championship side in recent days.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for football in England and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Monetary Issues and Proprietorship Status
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in earlier this year led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has been part of their lives in numerous instances.
"I have absolute sympathy for the club's situation, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or approached financial ruin, for factors unrelated to the followers."
Inquired if the authority might compel an proprietor to divest a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But Kogan stressed that requiring chairmen to relinquish 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 begin intervening in an individual club, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you look back over the history of football, over the past few decades 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 coming years."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on potential dangers and naturally, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an economic entity of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining 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 significant degree of comfort -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private 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 Labour Party in the past.
The official provided financial support for government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the chairman stated.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
