'We will play a key role in football's future' - football oversight chief David Kogan
Sheffield Wednesday's current difficulties constitute a "serious issue" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to examine team situations in comparable cases, the recently named head the official has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards supporters of the Owls.
The chairman convened with four fan organizations connected to the Championship side in recent days.
The football club have been struggling on and off the field in the current year, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," the regulator explained.
"The club represents one of the great brands for football in England and recently we have met supporters' organizations.
"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs submitted for our review if they need to be investigated and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
The team's struggling chairman the Thai businessman stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.
Failure to pay player wages on time in March and May caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, blocking the team from conducting any player acquisitions for the following recruitment periods, although that restriction was lifted in late summer.
Authority's Position
Kogan said: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has existed throughout their lifetimes in numerous instances.
"I completely understand the club's situation, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or been close to going to the wall, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves."
Questioned about whether the authority might compel an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, the regulator answered: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we collect the information and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the regulator would prefer to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is begin intervening in an individual club, an individual owner, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the problems affecting the organization and the owner's facing," the regulator explained.
"However, realistically, when you look back over the history of the game, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the way which they've been managing their teams and eventually don't wish to take responsibility for the future."
Wednesday followers have been protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"The role holds considerable importance, because if errors are made, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been invested for the recent generations, because there are no assurances it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to take a really clear view on challenges and obviously, of the coming seasons."
Elite Division Worries
Elite division representatives objected to the formation of an authority because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the prosperity and expansion as an economic entity of the elite league.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of the nation. But concurrently, if you talk to the Premier League after the recent gathering, 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 "comprehensive investigation" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.
"I have been entirely transparent regarding my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the regulator explained.
"I am no longer involved in any type of partisan engagement."
