'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties represent a a "serious issue" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to look into club affairs in such situations, its new chair the official has declared.
During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporter groups associated with the football team recently.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a major challenge for the sport," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they require examination and addressed."
Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has failed to complete a sale with prospective buyers.
Delayed salary payments on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the league officials in June, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in the end of the transfer window.
Regulator's Perspective
The chairman stated: "Our role exists to serve the supporters of Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the supporters."
Questioned about whether the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the chairman responded: "When asking whether '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 chairman emphasized that forcing owners to sell clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an individual club, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the issues that the club's facing and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of football, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Owls fans have been voicing opposition to owner Dejphon Chansiri during the current campaign
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
The chairman convened with officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the authority recently and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the National League to the Premier League.
"It's a job that's actually really important, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the extraordinary progress that's been made might evaporate swiftly," Kogan said.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we need to continue the progress.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has been invested for the last 20 or 25 years, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, 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
Elite division representatives objected to the creation of a regulator because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I fully support the success and growth as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But simultaneously, if you consult with top flight officials after this week's discussion, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, in fact, they have been telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
The regulator remains subject to a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The chairman contributed funds to government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my past party membership [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
