'We will play a key role in football's future' - independent football regulator David Kogan
The team's current difficulties constitute a "significant problem" and the football regulator is aiming to acquire authority to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the recently named head the official has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.
Kogan met with four supporter groups associated with the Championship side this week.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in the current year, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in last month.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a significant problem for EFL and a significant problem for football," the regulator explained.
"Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon."
Monetary Issues and Leadership Concerns
The club's controversial proprietor the current owner stated during the off-season he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Missed wage deadlines on time in earlier this year resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in June, blocking the team from conducting any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, teams facing challenges where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the supporters."
When asked 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 collect the information and comprehend the circumstances, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is start getting involved with an individual club, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated.
"But the truth is, when you review the record of the sport, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the authority recently and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.
"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 could disappear rapidly," the regulator warned.
"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we need to continue the progress.
"There's an enormous amount of money flowing into the game and has come into football for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on challenges and obviously, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Top flight officials resisted the formation of an authority because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the success and growth as an economic entity 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 engage with division representatives after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been advising us privately they have a high level of reassurance."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he acknowledged providing funds to the political party in the past.
The official contributed funds to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the politician's campaign, along with that of the current Prime Minister.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the select committee approved my appointment," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any form of political activity."
