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Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues constitute a "major concern" and the independent regulator is looking to gain the ability to investigate clubs in similar circumstances, the newly appointed chairman the regulator has announced.

During an extensive discussion, the chairman, who was appointed on Monday, voiced concern towards Wednesday's fanbase.

The regulator engaged with four fan organizations connected to the Championship side this week.

The football club have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in the current year, with the club delaying salary disbursements on multiple instances, including in the autumn.

"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a substantial concern for English football," the chairman stated.

"The club represents one of the iconic names for English football and this week we have met supporters' organizations.

"We are seeking authority... which will enable us to take Wednesday and comparable cases brought to our attention if they require examination and dealt with."

Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation

Wednesday's embattled owner Dejphon Chansiri suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at Hillsborough, but he has not been able to secure a deal with interested parties.

Failure to pay player wages on time in spring months caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in summer, blocking the team from conducting any transfers or loans for the next three transfer windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.

Authority's Position

The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the supporters of Wednesday, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a local institution that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.

"I completely understand the team's plight, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for causes separate from the followers."

Inquired 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 reply is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."

But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the oversight body would choose to collaborate with owners.

"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an individual club, an particular chairman, without being in a position to cooperate with that proprietor to address the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.

"But the truth is, when you examine the past of the game, over the past few decades 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 decline to assume obligation for the coming years."

'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'

The regulator engaged representatives from 110 clubs to detail the scope of the regulator on Wednesday and insisted it was a "progressive gathering" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.

"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the football community fails, the remarkable development accomplished necessary will vanish swiftly," the chairman stated.

"And that's what nobody wants in the terms of English football is a substantial accomplishment - we need to continue the progress.

"Considerable investment flowing into the game and has come into football for the recent generations, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to adopt a precise perspective on risk and of course, of the immediate future."

Top Flight Apprehensions

The Premier League opposed the formation of an authority because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the top-flight's competitiveness, but the chairman responded: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an economic entity of the top division.

"I of all people understand the worry about compromising the division as a high-quality offering of this country. But at the same time, 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 informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."

Partisan Associations

Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in 2020.

The chairman donated money to government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

"I've been completely open about my past party membership [with Labour], and that ideological connection terminated the day the select committee approved my appointment," Kogan said.

"I am no longer involved in any sort of politics."