You have some valid points, but I would say it is not as straight forward as it seems.
Every clan wants to win, the chief's award makes it sweeter. so we all want to have an even chance in the event.
Here is where I see the problems.
Even if they are willing to do something constructive,how difficult, or time consuming is the programming?
Would it work,given the schemes some clans come up with to redress the odds in their favour?
The effect of influence isnt insignificant ,but It isnt really based on the number of active members either,how active is active? Its more about time playing, skill, and other factors.
Also "activity" may change from one event to the next.
On Influence, note these scenarios.
Having lots of troops dramatically increases your influence, but if they are weak in knowledge they are more likely to be casualties.
You are a clan without a stronghold doing well in the events, then your stronhgold is built ,suddenly you have a whole lot of influence you never had before, the influence of the stronghold doesnt suddenly make you better players, or more active,it just puts you against clans who could be, so you might not do so well in future.
Clans can expel their inactives to get an easier opponent, but having less members may not help,especially as in the case above.you can end up with a clan with a few members,but the stronghold influence far outweighs the influence of the members still playing.
Assuming they are not already doing this,I would agree it might be better if they could come up with a plan that reflected actual consistant performance in events when the opponents are drawn.
However it still remains a problem that you only have to come up against a clan that is wealthly, does nothing during the event except for training troops for the win.
I dont see how removing the dead clan would help matters, every so often you are guaranteed a win, and without them would it be even more difficult to make fairer matches?