Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Julio Vaccari exchange words after tense Argentine draw

Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Julio Vaccari were involved in a physical confrontation in the dressing-room tunnel after Velez Sarsfield’s 1-1 draw with Defensa y Justicia in the Argentine Clausura.

The incident took place at Velez Sarsfield’s Jose Amalfitani Stadium following the fifth-round match, with the two managers having already exchanged words during the game.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the disagreement began after Vaccari objected to the conduct of his opposing manager. Tensions continued after the final whistle before the pair met in the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms.

Footage shared on social media appeared to show a confrontation involving staff from both teams, with the situation developing into physical aggression and a broader scuffle.

During the match, Vaccari complained to the fourth official about Barros Schelotto’s behaviour.

“You are rude… he told me to shut up,” Vaccari was heard saying.

He then directed a further warning towards the Velez Sarsfield coaching staff, adding: “Don’t try to be clever with me. Don’t cross the line of respect with me.”

Despite the scenes after the match, both managers played down the seriousness of the incident in their post-match comments.

Barros Schelotto said the confrontation was no more than an argument that had become heated in the intensity of the contest.

“They are just discussions, and physical confrontations that one should not get involved in because one is older,” he said. “During the game, you are focused on the result and tense, and suddenly some people make mistakes with certain words. We have to understand that it ends there, and that is it.”

He added: “The truth is that nothing more happened than what usually happens in a competitive and intense match in which everyone wants to win.”

Vaccari also dismissed the incident and said there was no lasting significance to what had happened.

“Nothing happened at all. This is what usually happens in matches,” he said. “You come out and meet each other, and when there is congestion it seems that nothing can be explained.”

“It is not important and there is nothing to tell. It was a football match and it is over,” Vaccari added.

The draw left Velez Sarsfield and Defensa y Justicia sharing the points in the fifth round of the Argentine Clausura. The meeting between the coaching staffs, however, became the main talking point after the final whistle, following the exchange during the match and the subsequent confrontation inside the stadium tunnel.