You're dead-right to highlight the disparity in the way the law is administered to supporters - compared to players (and other members of society too). With that as a given, I still don't think the possibility of a leanient 'punishment' should prevent professional footballers being prosecuted...
Well, bearing in mind there are laws in place which would stop folk going on the pitch & chinning him when it happened, I don't see why the on-field behaviour of a professional footballer should be above the law either. So much for him learning from his own life experiences & his willing...