LONDON — A soccer ball used by Spain and the Netherlands in the World Cup final has been sold at auction for C$78,000 to benefit Nelson Mandela’s campaign to prevent HIV/AIDS.

Proceeds from Friday’s eBay sale will go toward 46664, the program named after the number assigned to Mandela when he was imprisoned on Robben island.

Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in Johannesburg on Sunday to win its first world title.

Many players likened the Adidas Jabulani ball used throughout the tournament to a “supermarket ball,” saying it was too unpredictable. The gold version used in the final was named “Jo’bulani.”

Ruth Szyszkowski of eBay says “interest in this particular piece seems not only heightened by the controversy surrounding it, but also the proceeds benefiting such a great cause.”

World Cup 2010: ball used in Johannesburg final sold for £48,000
A football used in the World Cup final has been sold in an online auction 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.

There was no immediate indication who had bought the ball.

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 players.

The gold version used in the final was given the name “Jo’bulani”.

Adidas said later that a group of Spanish fans made the highest bid.

Some 133 bids were placed from 55 international bidders, a spokesman said

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