Coaches Benni McCarthy and Eric Tinkler's old grudges resurfaced during a scuffle involving the two clubs' officials last week.

The incident was just the latest in the long-running feud between Cape Town City's McCarthy and Tinkler of Maritzburg United.

One can forget the two were teammates at Bafana Bafana, judging from their sour relationship.

There was a fracas last weekend after the Citizens edged United 3-2 in a crunch league match. Videos doing the rounds on social media show McCarthy shoving an official from United before the final whistle and then being at the centre of a skirmish outside the dressing rooms.

PSL prosecutor Nande Becker refused to confirm if McCarthy had been charged for the incident.

"I cannot comment much on any matter that is under investigation," Becker said.

McCarthy tried to downplay the incident. "Look, this is football and emotions get high because everybody wants to win and people are fighting for their lives," McCarthy said.

"I did not start any of it. I was just caught up in the middle of it but I was trying to defuse the situation and stop fights from breaking out."

However, images of the incident contradict the former Bafana Bafana striker's sentiments and he seemed to be a willing participant in the commotion.

Tensions between the two started to simmer seven years ago when McCarthy was an Orlando Pirates goalpoacher and Tinkler was assistant to Roger de Sa at Bidvest Wits.

There was an altercation in 2011 after Pirates beat Wits 3-1 in the Telkom Knockout final during which McCarthy famously said Tinkler was lucky not to get slapped by him.

De Sa says the rivalry between the two was personal and it was testament to their competitiveness.

"I remember all those years ago before the final we [Wits] had a game where we beat Pirates and maybe our celebrations were over the top," De Sa said.

"I think Benni did not like the celebrations and wanted to get back at us and they did because we got whipped in the final. And before that game there were some words said and some pushing, nothing hectic."