The PFA chief executive, Gordon Taylor, said the millionaire popstar and chairman of First Division Watford "should know that the football game is the same as the pop game - it's about supply and demand.

"Footballers do not put the transfer fees on their heads and neither do they force the clubs to pay such wages.

Sir Elton John: My ambition is to get Watford into the Premiership

"Some people may feel the ticket prices for Elton John concerts are too dear.

"Attendances in the Premier League and the Football League are rising so some of the players must be getting it right.

"People would vote their feet if they didn't think that the players were worth paying to see."

Earlier the Premier League also joined condemnation of Sir Elton's remarks.

Its spokesman Mike Lee said: "No-one is suggesting that the Premiership is perfect, but there is much to be proud of and many countries around the world look at the Premier League with admiration and envy.

"English football in general is in a very healthy state and those who simply knock it seem to be missing the point.

"I'm sure Sir Elton would love to see Watford as a member of the Premier League."

'Money for old rope'

Sir Elton made a wide-ranging attack on the standard of play and the spiralling cost of transfers and wages in the Premiership.

Alan Shearer: Not worth £18m

"There are a few players worth £10m like Michael Owen or David Beckham but the whole thing has got to stop. It is a joke that very mediocre players are now going for £2m or £3m," he said.

"We want to seize the opportunity to bring Premiership football to Watford but we are not in a position to pay £6m or £7m for players, nor do we want to.

"I'm a very well-paid entertainer but when I see figures bandied around like £18m for Alan Shearer it makes me laugh. No disrespect to him but he has failed to find his form since returning from injury, including the World Cup.

"It is absolutely ridiculous and money for old rope. Then you see the players' attitudes - they are paid so much money and they are just strolling around the pitch," he added.

'Resentful Hoddle'

Glenn Hoddle: 'Jealous of David Beckham'

Sir Elton also accused England coach Glenn Hoddle of allowing petty jealousy to influence his handling of David Beckham.

He claimed Hoddle's envy lay behind his treatment of the Manchester United star at the World Cup.

The Mirror quoted the rock star as saying: "Maybe there's a bit of resentment on Glenn Hoddle's part that David has a great career ahead of him. Hoddle was a great player, but didn't have a great England career.

"Beckham has a very famous, lovely girlfriend. Maybe Hoddle resents that too."