Nah, me neither. My understanding is that some sort of precedent / deterrent needs to be set to put off anyone else dumb enough to try spying...
So, if our punishment is to be thrown out of the playoffs, that sets the precedent.
What happens if, say, Norwich get caught next season spying on Stoke within 72 hours of a league game. You cant apply the same punishment and chuck Norwich out the whole league?!?!