'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the new chairman
Sheffield Wednesday's ongoing struggles are seen as a "major concern" and the new football authority is seeking powers to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, its new chair David Kogan has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations associated with the Championship side recently.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in this season, with the club delaying salary disbursements on multiple instances, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for the English game and recently we have met supporters' organizations.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs submitted for our review if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be open to selling the club at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Failure to pay player wages on time in March and May resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in summer, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the following recruitment periods, although those limitations were removed in August.
Authority's Position
The regulator explained: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.
"I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the supporters."
When asked if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an individual club, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the chairman stated.
"However, realistically, when you review the record of the game, over the past few decades there have been particular chairmen, not many, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been protesting against the team's chairman in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the world of football gets it wrong, the extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear swiftly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the realm of domestic football is a huge success story - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has come into football for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the coming seasons."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an commercial operation of the top division.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition of England. But at the same time, 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 informing us confidentially they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in 2020.
The official contributed funds to Culture Secretary 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 select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any sort of politics."