'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
The Championship club's persistent issues represent a a "serious issue" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to look into club affairs in such situations, the recently named head David Kogan has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards Wednesday's fanbase.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations associated with the football team in recent days.
The team have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on multiple instances, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a significant problem for EFL and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for the English game and in recent days we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations referred to us if they require examination and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with interested parties.
Failure to pay player wages on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the league officials in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in August.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "The position was created for the supporters of Wednesday, Bury or any football club where people are committed to a local institution that has represented their community in many cases.
"I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or approached financial ruin, for causes separate from the fans themselves."
When asked if the authority might compel an chairman to relinquish 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 Kogan stressed that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the regulator would prefer to work with them.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an particular organization, an particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"In actuality, when you review the record of the sport, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, not many, but particular people who have shown negligence in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the significant advances achieved could disappear rapidly," the regulator warned.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the context of the English game is a substantial accomplishment - we need to continue the progress.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has been invested for the last 20 or 25 years, because there's no guarantee it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Top Flight Apprehensions
The Premier League opposed the creation of a regulator because of concerns about detrimental effects on the elite division's competitive balance, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the success and growth as an commercial operation of the top division.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But concurrently, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, indeed, they have been advising us privately they have a significant confidence."
Ideological Links
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the public appointments commissioner after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in recent years.
The 68-year-old donated money to government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have fully disclosed my past party membership [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 sort of politics."
