Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding closure for a metallurgical vessel, comprising at least two fireproof closure plates (3, 4, 5) that can be pressed against each other and can each be clamped in a plate frame (7, 8, 9) by means of clamping jaws (10, 11, 12) that can be actuated by means of an eccentric unit (15). In order to actuate the clamping jaws (10, 11, 12), the eccentric units (15) are each provided with a rotary part (151), which has an upper and lower eccentric (28 and 29) and a centering pin (30), which is supported in the plate frame (7, 8, 9), wherein the one eccentric (28) acts on the clamping jaw (10, 11, or 12). Advantageously, the upper eccentric (29) interacts with a part (34) of the plate frame (7, 8, 9) in such a way that the upper eccentric is pressed against said part (34) in a clamping direction in the outer region (36) of the upper eccentric when the clamping jaw (10, 11, 12) is released. Thus, a plate exchange can be performed safely.