'Our role is integral to football's future' - football oversight chief the regulator's chair
The team's current difficulties represent a a "major concern" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in such situations, the newly appointed chairman David Kogan has stated.
In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards the club's followers.
The chairman convened with four supporters' associations representing the football team this week.
The football club have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in this season, with the club missing wage payments on five separate occasions, including in last month.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated.
"Sheffield Wednesday is one of the historic institutions for the English game and recently we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.
"We are seeking authority... which will permit us to bring Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs submitted for our review if they warrant scrutiny and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with interested parties.
Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May caused limitations by the football authorities in June, blocking the team from conducting any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although the ban was rescinded in late summer.
Official's Viewpoint
The regulator explained: "Our role exists to serve the fans of Sheffield Wednesday, other clubs in similar situations where fans are dedicated to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in many cases.
"I fully appreciate Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves."
When asked if the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are considered unfit, Kogan said: "If your question is 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be considered the final option and the authority would rather to collaborate with owners.
"The final option we would consider is begin intervening in an particular organization, an particular chairman, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the chairman's encountering," Kogan said.
"But the truth is, when you examine the past of the game, over the past few decades there have been some owners, a small minority, but particular people who have shown negligence in the approach they have taken toward their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the coming years."
Wednesday followers have been demonstrating against owner Dejphon Chansiri in recent months
'Errors may undo substantial development'
The chairman convened with officials from numerous teams to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "proactive meeting" with a "significant participation" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the world of football gets it wrong, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear incredibly quickly," the regulator warned.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the realm of domestic football is a huge success story - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources entering the sport and has come into football for the last 20 or 25 years, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Elite Division Worries
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of fears of a negative impact on the elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I fully support the prosperity and expansion as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"I of all people understand the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of England. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials 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 high level of reassurance."
Partisan Associations
The regulator remains subject to a "thorough examination" by the official appointments authority after he acknowledged providing funds to the opposition group in recent years.
The chairman contributed funds to government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the chairman stated.
"I currently have no participation in any type of partisan engagement."
