The chairman of the new independent football regulator donated to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership campaign and did not apply for the job.
David Kogan, who has landed one of the most important positions in sport, told MPs he was approached by government and urged to put his name forward.
The 67-year-old, former chief media rights adviser to the Premier League, was known to have been a Labour donor who had written two books on the history of the party.
However, his direct backing of the prime minister and fellow 2020 leadership contender Lisa Nandy were, until Wednesday, unknown publicly.
Added to the above, the further revelation that he was effectively headhunted will further raise questioning over what is becoming an increasingly controversial appointment.
The Conservative Party have called for an urgent investigation, while Labour have previously responded to accusations of cronyism regarding Kogan’s selection by pointing out he was also asked about chairing the regulator by the previous Conservative Government.
David Kogan has revealed that he did not apply for his new role as chairman of the independent football regulator
The 67-year-old received a grilling from MPs on the culture, media, and sport select committee
Kogan also admitted that he had contributed to the leadership campaigns of Lisa Nandy and Keir Starmer
‘Five years ago I contributed very small sums of money to both the leadership campaigns for Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy, I am happy to declare that now,’ Kogan told the culture, media and sport select committee in a 90-minute grilling.
When asked to outline the recruitment process for the £130,000-a-year, part-time role Kogan responded: ‘I didn’t apply. On May 16 last year, the day applications closed, I received a call from the permanent secretary of the department asking me why I hadn’t applied.’
He then claimed he was told that other candidates had suggested he was a better fit for the role.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative chairwoman of the committee, branded Kogan ‘effectively Labour Party aristocracy’, and added that a ‘perceived bias is not unreasonable’.
‘What are you going to do to address it so that from day one you are getting rid of these allegations that you are in the pocket of the prime minister, in cahoots with the culture secretary and a puppet of the Labour government?’ she asked.
Kogan acknowledged the situation needed to be addressed and added that he had not met Starmer since he became Prime Minister.
‘I recognise there is a perception of bias and the way you correct that is by action and delivery,’ he said. ‘I have to give you my personal assurance this will not happen. I am very happy to be held to account.’
Louie French, the Conservative shadow sports minister, called for an investigation, claiming that the failure to disclose the donations publicly was ‘a clear breach of the governance code on public appointments’.
French added that the matter represented ‘a serious breach of public trust’.
The regulator will operate a licensing system for the 116 clubs in the top five tiers of English football with a principal remit to ensure clubs are run sustainably and are accountable to their fans.
Crucially, it will also have the power to force a deal between the Premier League and EFL on financial redistribution. Parachute payments will also fall under its remit.
The EFL declined to comment on the appointment. The Premier League have been contacted for comment.
A Premier League spokesperson said: ‘We will work constructively with the Chair once they have been formally appointed.’
