World Cup ball sold for £48,200

The Jabulani ball was one of those used in Sunday's final between Spain and the Netherlands.

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

According to eBay, the controversy around the Adidas ball – with complaints about its movement through the air – has fuelled interest.

Ruth Szyszkowski, of eBay, 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 World Cup players.