There are people that pay a lot of money friend, I see them as sort of "cheaters" too, but don't think that's the biggest problem you have in match making. That kind of players are far from everyone that manage to stay between 75% - 85% - there are ways you can do it. The perks you're talking about are small advantages that are countered by yellow and red cards, really weird actions of best players, rewards that all can get by playing events or doing special sponsor tasks...
I know that without paying anything you can't afford any shortcuts, need to save every green pack and really think about all the aspects of tactics and formations etc, but when in spite of all you beat someone 10% bigger it's a way better win in my book.
But when the game cheats, and serves not a game or two, but the whole season to group of selected players - then just comes the point when it's stupid to play it.
All the best