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Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues represent a a "significant problem" and the new football authority is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has announced.

In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was recently selected, voiced concern towards the club's followers.

Kogan met with four supporters' associations associated with the Championship side recently.

The Championship side have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.

"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a major concern for the league and a significant problem for football," the regulator explained.

"Wednesday stands as one of the iconic names for football in England and this week we have met supporters' organizations.

"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they require examination and addressed."

Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns

Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.

Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May resulted in restrictions being imposed by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in the end of the transfer window.

Authority's Position

The chairman stated: "Our role exists to serve the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where people are committed to a local institution that has been part of their lives in multiple situations.

"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, 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 oversight body could require an owner to sell a club if they are considered unfit, the chairman responded: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be 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 regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors.

"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an specific team, an particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that chairman to fix 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 last 20 or 30 years there have been particular chairmen, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the way which they've been managing their clubs and ultimately refuse to accept accountability for the coming years."

'Mistakes could erase significant advances'

The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the authority recently and insisted it was a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "high level of engagement" from the lower divisions to the top flight.

"It's a job that's actually really important, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the significant advances achieved necessary will vanish incredibly quickly," the chairman stated.

"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the context of the English game is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum.

"Considerable investment coming into football and has been channeled for the last 20 or 25 years, because there's no guarantee it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."

Premier League Concerns

Top flight officials resisted the establishment of an oversight body because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the regulator stated: "I completely endorse the success and growth as an commercial operation of the elite league.

"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of this country. 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 advising us privately they have a significant confidence."

Ideological Links

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 chairman provided financial support for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader.

"I have fully disclosed my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the select committee approved my appointment," the regulator explained.

"I currently have no participation in any form of political activity."