Collectors were yesterday battling it out for a chance to take home a piece of World Cup memorabilia in an online auction.

Bids of more than £52,000 have been placed on one of the Jo'bulani balls used in Sunday's final between Spain and the Netherlands, according to eBay.

All proceeds from the sale will go to 46664, Nelson Mandela's HIV/Aids education and prevention campaign.

The auction will close at 5 p.m. today. According to eBay, the controversy around the Adidas ball - with complaints about its movement through the air - has fuelled interest. Ruth Szyszkowski, eBay spokesman, said: "Unique pieces of sporting memorabilia have always been extremely popular on eBay.

"The interest in this particular piece seems not only heightened by the controversy surrounding it, but also the proceeds benefiting such a great cause."

Adidas said the World Cup ball's "radical grip 'n' groove" technology, tested by scientists at Loughborough University, allowed "exceptionally stable flight and perfect grip under all conditions".

But the ball, named Jabulani from the Zulu word for "to celebrate", was criticised by some players.

The gold version used in the final was given the name Jo'bulani.

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