'We will play a key role in football's future' - newly appointed regulator David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties represent a a "significant problem" and the football regulator is seeking powers to look into club affairs in such situations, the recently named head David Kogan has declared.
During an extensive discussion, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, expressed "sympathy" towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations associated with the football team in recent days.
The Championship side have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in the autumn.
"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," Kogan told.
"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations brought to our attention if they warrant scrutiny and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at their home ground, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May led to sanctions by the football authorities in summer, blocking the team from conducting any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in the end of the transfer window.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: "The position was created for the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a community organization that has been part of their lives in numerous instances.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for all the clubs that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves."
Inquired if the regulator could force 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 the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is start getting involved with an specific team, an specific proprietor, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that chairman to fix the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," the regulator explained.
"However, realistically, when you review the record of the game, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Owls fans have been demonstrating against the current proprietor in recent months
'Mistakes could erase significant advances'
Kogan met with delegates from multiple organizations to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear swiftly," Kogan said.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.
"There's an enormous amount of money coming into football and has been invested for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, 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 elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the top division.
"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But at the same time, 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 advising us privately they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
The chairman continues to confront a "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in the past.
The 68-year-old donated money to Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
