Speaking at a conference, Sutcliffe condemned Chelsea captain John Terry's salary as "obscene" while criticising Manchester United's ticket prices.
Sutcliffe said: "People in the street cannot understand salaries like Terry's." And he added: "Ordinary working people who want go and see Manchester United face being priced out. There is a danger that there will be a move away from the game and we don't want to be in a position where people are alienated."
Chelsea were reported to be angry with some of the figures quoted by Sutcliffe and the club is thought to have complained to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that the figures were inaccurate.
Manchester United chief executive David Gill said: "Our average increase was 10.78 per cent and we think the prices between £25 and £45 are very fair in relation to other clubs such as Chelsea and keep us in touch with our grass-roots supporters."
