🔗 Share this article Sheffield Wednesday Confronts Serious Challenges, Says New Football Authority 'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair The team's ongoing struggles represent a a "significant problem" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in such situations, the newly appointed chairman the official has announced. Through a comprehensive talk, the regulator, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards the club's followers. The regulator engaged with four supporters' associations connected to the football team recently. The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club delaying salary disbursements on several different times, including in September. "Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," the chairman stated. "Wednesday stands as one of the great brands for the English game and recently we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups. "We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they warrant scrutiny and acted upon." Financial Struggles and Leadership Concerns Wednesday's embattled owner the Thai businessman indicated in the summer he would be willing to sell up at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners. Failure to pay player wages on time in spring months resulted in restrictions being imposed by the league officials in summer, preventing the club from carrying out any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in the end of the transfer window. Regulator's Perspective The regulator explained: "Our role exists to serve the Owls followers, other clubs in similar situations where supporters are loyal to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations. "I completely understand Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the fans themselves." Inquired if the regulator could force an proprietor to divest a club if they are deemed unsuitable, Kogan said: "Should the inquiry concern 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the answer is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will." But Kogan stressed that forcing owners to sell clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the regulator would prefer to cooperate with proprietors. "Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an particular organization, an individual owner, without being able to work with that chairman to fix the challenges confronting the team and the chairman's encountering," the chairman stated. "But the truth is, when you look back over the history of football, over the recent generations there have been some owners, few in number, but certain individuals who have acted carelessly in the way which they've been managing their teams and eventually decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects." Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to the team's chairman in recent months 'Errors may undo substantial development' Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the authority recently and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the grassroots to elite level. "The role holds considerable importance, because if we get it wrong, if the football community fails, the extraordinary progress that's been made could disappear swiftly," Kogan said. "And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a major achievement - we must maintain momentum. "Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been invested for the past two decades, because there's no guarantee it will continue to come into football, which is among the factors explaining I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the next two or three years." Premier League Concerns The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of concerns about detrimental effects on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the achievement and development as an financial organization of the top division. "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 the recent gathering, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been advising us privately they have a considerable comfort." Political Connections The chairman continues to confront a "full inquiry" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he disclosed making donations to the political party in 2020. The chairman provided financial support for Culture Secretary the politician's campaign, along with that of the government leader. "I've been completely open about my former ideological connection [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the official body endorsed my nomination," the chairman stated. "I currently have no participation in any form of political activity."