Yeah, let's ignore the fact that City won numerous trophies by spending millions they shouldn't have under the rules at the time. Nothing to see here - lift that carpet and sweep everything under it. Just an accounting glitch 🙂
That banging sound is the nail being hit firmly on the head. Everything within the FA including the punishments they do or don't dish out revolves around filthy money.
So they are to be messed with but not if you are only a small club that doesn't generate fortunes for the FA's coffers - those expense accounts don't pay for themselves.