FRENCH villain Lucas Hernandez has admitted he “exaggerates” when going down after a foul.

The France left-back drew the ire of Socceroos fans in Kazan Arena during Australia’s 2-1 defeat to France by going down easily on several occasions during the match.

Hernandez’s every touch was booed by the tens of thousands green and gold fans, but the Atletico Madrid youngster told media after the match that his theatrics are just “part of the spectacle”.

Lucas Hernandez on going down after a foul in today's press conference: "Sometimes I exaggerate, but that's all part of the spectacle... it also helps to take more time when you are winning." — Get French Football News (@GFFN) June 17, 2018

“Sometimes I exaggerate, but that’s all part of the spectacle,” he said. “It also helps to take more time when you are winning.”

Socceroos winger Mathew Leckie believes it’s less of a spectacle and more of a blight on the game.

Leckie was booked in the 13th minute of the match against France and conceded a handful of fouls during the remainder of the game.

The yellow card leaves him walking a tightrope for the rest of the group campaign and he was highly critical of his opponent’s gamesmanship.

“It’s disappointing for the game, that’s the type of controversy that upsets people about football,” he said.

“It doesn’t help when my opponent, the left defender (Hernandez), was falling over and playing a lot of diving.

“It was frustrating, he was literally falling over without any contact and the referee was giving free-kicks.”