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Sheffield Wednesday's persistent issues constitute a "serious issue" and the football regulator is seeking powers to investigate clubs in such situations, the recently named head the regulator has declared.

In a wide-ranging interview, the chairman, who was named to the position this week, showed understanding towards supporters of the Owls.

The chairman convened with four supporters' associations associated with the South Yorkshire club this week.

The Championship side have been facing challenges both on and off the pitch in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.

"Clearly Sheffield Wednesday has been a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," the chairman stated.

"Wednesday stands as one of the historic institutions for English football and in recent days we have met Sheffield Wednesday supporters' groups.

"We're now looking to get powers... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations submitted for our review if they need to be investigated and dealt with."

Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation

The club's controversial proprietor the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has been unable to finalize an agreement with prospective buyers.

Missed wage deadlines on time in March and May caused limitations by the football authorities in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any player acquisitions for the subsequent signing windows, although the ban was rescinded in the end of the transfer window.

Regulator's Perspective

The regulator explained: "The job [of the regulator] is there for the Owls followers, teams facing challenges where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.

"I have absolute sympathy for Sheffield Wednesday, as I do for all the clubs that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for factors unrelated to the followers."

When asked if the authority might compel an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the reply is once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."

But the regulator clarified that forcing owners to sell clubs would be treated as a "last resort" and the authority would rather to cooperate with proprietors.

"The final option we would consider is commence engagement with an specific team, an particular chairman, 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 the sport, over the last 20 or 30 years there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their teams and eventually refuse to accept accountability for the coming years."

'Mistakes could erase significant advances'

The regulator engaged officials from numerous teams to detail the scope of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.

"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the world of football gets it wrong, the extraordinary progress that's been made necessary will vanish rapidly," Kogan said.

"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the realm of domestic football is a substantial accomplishment - we need to continue the progress.

"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has been channeled for the past two decades, because certainty is lacking it will persist in entering the game, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the coming seasons."

Top Flight Apprehensions

The Premier League opposed the creation of a regulator because of fears of a negative impact on the top-flight's competitiveness, but Kogan said: "I'm absolutely committed to the achievement and development as an economic entity of the Premier League.

"As someone who appreciates the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a significant degree of comfort -and, actually, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."

Partisan Associations

The chairman continues to confront a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the opposition group in 2020.

The official contributed funds to government minister Lisa Nandy's leadership campaign, along with that of the government leader.

"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," the regulator explained.

"I am presently disconnected from any sort of politics."