'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
The Championship club's ongoing struggles represent a a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to examine team situations in comparable cases, the recently named head David Kogan has announced.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards the club's followers.
The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations connected to the South Yorkshire club this week.
The team have been struggling on and off the field in this season, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a major concern for the league and a substantial concern for English football," Kogan told.
"Sheffield Wednesday is 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 allow us to have the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they warrant scrutiny and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman stated during the off-season he would be open to selling the club at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.
Delayed salary payments on time in spring months led to sanctions by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, blocking the team from conducting any recruitment activities for the following recruitment periods, although the ban was rescinded in late summer.
Regulator's Perspective
The regulator explained: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that in modern times have encountered failure, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the followers."
Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an specific team, an particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the sport, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, not many, but particular people who have shown negligence in the way which they've been managing their organizations and finally don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against the team's chairman this season
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the authority recently and stated it constituted a "proactive meeting" with a "substantial involvement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the extraordinary progress that's been made necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.
"And that's what nobody wants in the context of the English game is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Considerable investment coming into football and has been channeled for the recent generations, because there's no guarantee it will persist in entering the game, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the immediate future."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the elite division's competitive balance, but the regulator stated: "I'm absolutely committed to the success and growth as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But at the same time, 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 telling us in private they have a considerable comfort."
Ideological Links
The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he revealed he contributed money to the political party in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for Culture Secretary the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the official body endorsed my nomination," Kogan said.
"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."
