He's highlighting the proportionality of the punishment, not arguing against the application of a punishment at all. It could be reasonably argued that awarding Middlesbrough a two goal head start in the second leg (for example) would have been a more proportionate punishment.
How does that train of thought account for the markedly different sign-off that the club have given to Shea "not Rickie Lambert" Charles today...? It's been pretty obvious to me over the years that when a player leaves under a bit of a cloud, the club the parting words (if any) from the club reflect that.
He scored 11 goals per season in the last two seasons he played for us, so not too shabby for a midfielder not known for his attacking prowess*
(* Yes, most of those were probably set pieces, and yes, he was 4 - 5 years younger)