FFP is to avoid teams nearly going out of business by overspending with what they have not got, like Leeds & Portsmouth.
The problem is that it tends to lead to a cartel, where the big clubs stay big and the small clubs stay small and cannot close the gap as they are restricted on getting a benefactor, like an Abramovich. That's one of the reasons FSG bought us, they saw FFP levelling the playing field with teams like Chelsea not allowed to overspend, with our fan base they saw an opportunity to improve our commercial operations and improve us, which they have.
The problem is City have been backed by a country in effect, with unlimited funds, it's going to be interesting to see how they are
dealt with.
The problem is FFP was never implemented as they expected or wished, if it was United, Liverpool, Arsenal and probably Chelsea would have had a big advantage over others.
Yep, it was never implemented as they expected, Uefa have never shown real punishment/deterrent, there was talk of relegation/bans from European competitions etc, the biggest penalties given have been transfer bans, which the clubs usually appeal and gives them time to do their business.
Equally, as you say, if it would have been implemented, the advantage would have been too big for the existing 'Cartel' making the PL boring with the big 4 staying big and dominating CL qualification and that income, someone like Abramovich was needed to shake it up abit.