'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "major concern" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in similar circumstances, its new chair the official has stated.
During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards Wednesday's fanbase.
The chairman convened with four fan organizations representing the Championship side in recent days.
The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a significant problem for EFL and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the great brands for the English game and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Proprietorship Status
The team's struggling chairman the current owner suggested earlier this year he would be open to selling the club at their home ground, but he has failed to complete a sale with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May led to sanctions by the league officials in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a regional establishment that has represented their community in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or been close to going to the wall, for causes separate from the followers."
Inquired if the regulator could force an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an individual club, an specific proprietor, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you examine the past of the game, over the recent generations 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 future."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and insisted it was a "proactive meeting" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"And that's what nobody wants 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 recent generations, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an financial organization of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the top flight as an elite competition of the nation. But at the same time, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, in fact, they have been advising us privately they have a high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
The chairman continues to confront a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the Labour Party in recent years.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the official body endorsed my nomination," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any sort of politics."
