MANCHESTER, May 30: A winning bid of more than fifteen thousand pounds (about $ 25,000) in a charity auction to buy the last Manchester United shirt worn by Eric Cantona was a hoax, it was announced today.

The red and black United number seven shirt was worn by the French man the day before before his shock retirement from football two weeks ago.

It was auctioned by Manchester Radio station Key 103 in an 11-hour on-air marathon that attracted thousands of telephone bids. But radio station bosses said that overnight checks had discovered the bid of 15,350 pounds was a ``cruel hoax''.

The money should have gone towards a benefit fund for Coventry City defender David Busst, whose career was cut short by a leg injury in game against Coventry 13 months ago.

Cantona wore the shirt in a testimonial game for Busst before signing it and donating it to him only 24 hours before announcing his retirement.

The radio station has now decided to declare the auction void, and will explore other ways of using the shirt to raise money for Busst's benefit fund.

Key 103 programme director John Dash said: ``We are devastated that people would ring up and make what on the surface would seem genuine bids to help his benefit appeal.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.