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Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "major concern" and the independent regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the official has stated.

Through a comprehensive talk, the regulator, who was named to the position this week, showed understanding towards the club's followers.

Kogan met with four supporter groups connected to the South Yorkshire club recently.

The football club have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on multiple instances, including in September.

"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a significant problem for EFL and a substantial concern for English football," the regulator explained.

"The club represents one of the iconic names for football in England and this week we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.

"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will permit us to bring the club and similar situations referred to us if they require examination and addressed."

Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns

The club's controversial proprietor Dejphon Chansiri indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has failed to complete a sale with prospective buyers.

Delayed salary payments on time in March and May caused limitations by the league officials in June, preventing the club from carrying out any player acquisitions for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in August.

Regulator's Perspective

The regulator explained: "The position was created for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has represented their community in multiple situations.

"I have absolute sympathy for the team's plight, as I do for each organization that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the followers."

Questioned about whether the oversight body could require an proprietor to divest a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we collect the information and understand the situation, we will."

But the regulator clarified that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.

"The last thing what we want to do is commence engagement with an specific team, an particular chairman, without being in a position to cooperate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.

"However, realistically, when you examine the past of the sport, over the recent generations there have been particular chairmen, few in number, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their clubs and ultimately don't wish to take responsibility for the future."

'Errors may undo substantial development'

The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the authority recently and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "high level of engagement" from the grassroots to elite level.

"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate rapidly," the chairman stated.

"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the realm of domestic football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.

"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will continue to come into football, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the immediate future."

Top Flight Apprehensions

Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an economic entity of the elite league.

"Being fully aware of the worry about compromising the Premier League as a premium product of England. But at the same time, if you engage with division representatives after today's meeting, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, indeed, they have been telling us in private they have a high level of reassurance."

Political Connections

The regulator remains subject to a "full inquiry" by the public appointments commissioner after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.

The 68-year-old contributed funds to government minister the politician's 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," the chairman stated.

"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."