'Our role is integral to football's future' - independent football regulator David Kogan
The Championship club's ongoing struggles are seen as a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to examine team situations in similar circumstances, the newly appointed chairman David Kogan has declared.
During an extensive discussion, Kogan, who was named to the position this week, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporters' associations representing the Championship side recently.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in the current year, with the club missing wage payments on several different times, including in September.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.
"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for the English game and this week we have met fan representatives.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will allow us to have Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they require examination and dealt with."
Financial Struggles and Ownership Situation
The team's struggling chairman the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May caused limitations by the football authorities in mid-year, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Authority's Position
The chairman stated: "Our role exists to serve the supporters of Wednesday, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has been part of their lives in many cases.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the supporters."
When asked if the oversight body could require an proprietor to divest a club if they are judged inappropriate, the regulator answered: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we assemble the facts and understand the situation, we will."
But the regulator clarified that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an specific team, an individual owner, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the challenges confronting the team and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"But the truth is, when you examine the past of football, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the future."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman in recent months
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The regulator engaged delegates from multiple organizations to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and maintained it represented a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the sport makes errors, the extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has been invested for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on potential dangers and naturally, of the next two or three years."
Top Flight Apprehensions
Elite division representatives objected to the establishment of an oversight body because of fears of a negative impact on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the achievement and development as an financial organization of the elite league.
"As someone who appreciates the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of England. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League 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 considerable comfort."
Partisan Associations
The chairman continues to confront a "thorough examination" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The chairman donated money to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," Kogan said.
"I currently have no participation in any form of political activity."
