Spartak Moscow's players during a minute's silence for the victims of the Kemerovo shopping centre fire

Football fans in Russia stayed silent during the first half of matches in tribute to victims of a fire at a shopping and entertainment complex.

At least 64 people died in the fire on 25 March in the Siberian coal-mining city of Kemerovo.

"It was difficult to play the first half," Spartak Moscow captain Denis Glushakov said after his team's 2-1 win over Tosno on Saturday.

"The stands were completely quiet and it was very unusual."

Matches in the Russian Premier League started with a minute's silence.

A message on Dynamo Moscow's Twitter feed before their home game with Arsenal Tula said: "In order to honour the memory of those who died, the fans of most clubs have agreed to spend the first halves of their matches in silence.

"We encourage you to support this action." </s> Two fans have reportedly died during celebrations in France after the country won the 2018 FIFA World Cup by beating Croatia 4-2 in the final.

On Sunday France secured its second World Cup championship title at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, 20 years after winning its first World Cup on home soil in 1998. Fans across the country immediately took to the streets to celebrate their national team’s victory.

The nation celebrated through the night. The celebrations, however, were marred by the deaths of two fans and violence, which erupted in Paris late on Sunday. </s> Saudi Arabia National Team refuse to observe minute’s silence for London terror victims during football match with Australia

There was drama on Thursday as Saudi Arabia’s football national team declined to observe minute’s silence in honour of the victims of the London Bridge terror attack.

The shocking incident occurred ahead of the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying match between Saudi Arabia and Australia.

When the stadium announcer called for a minute’s silence, 11 Australian players on the field lined up at the center circle with their arms on their teammates’ shoulders, but Saudi Arabian footballers ignored the tradition and took their positions on the pitch.

According to officials, the minute’s silence was approved by the Asian Football Confederation before the game and while Saudi Arabia’s national team agreed to the tribute, the players refused to pay their respects.

Last Saturday’s terror attack at London Bridge claimed the lives of seven people, including two Australian citizens.

After the match, a spokesperson for Football Federation Australia (FFA) also confirmed that they had an agreement with the Asian Football Confederation to hold minute’s silence for the victims of the London Bridge terror attack.

‘The FFA sought agreement from the Asian Football Confederation and the Saudi national team to hold a minute’s silence in memory of those lost in Saturday night’s terror bombings in London and in particular the two Australian women.

‘Both the AFC and the Saudi team agreed that the minute of silence could be held.

‘The FFA was further advised by Saudi team officials that this tradition was not in keeping with Saudi culture and they would move to their side of the field and respect our custom whilst taking their own positions on the field

The match ended 3- 2 in favour of Australia, leaving Saudi Arabia at 16 points in their qualifying group
Football matches across Russia are marked with silence from fans throughout the first half to commemorate the dead.