REFEREES boss Mark Shield knew of A-League grand final referee Jarred Gillett's relationship with a Roar staff member before appointing him to officiate in Brisbane's 2-1 title win over Perth Glory.

Gold Coaster Gillett's contentious decision to award the Roar a match-swinging penalty in the dying stages of Sunday's final at Suncorp Stadium caused an uproar, more so after it emerged his girlfriend Michelle Tobin works part-time in the club's communications department.

Ms Tobin was in tears after the match after the news spread on social networks and was given yesterday off by the club.

But Shield dismissed suggestions he made the wrong decision to appoint 25-year-old Gillett - who this month received the referee of the year award - to officiate the grand final.

"Referees don't mind criticism on individual decisions but linking that debate to previous matches, the state in which the referee resides or matters to do with his personal life are out of order," Shield said. "We wanted our best official performing in the grand final, and that and that alone was taken into consideration with the appointment of the grand final (referee)."

Shield also said Gillett had made the correct call in awarding Brisbane the penalty, despite claims from the Perth camp that Roar striker Besart Berisha had barely been touched by Glory midfielder Liam Miller before falling to the ground.

"My very first instinct was (it was a) penalty at the time," Shield said.

"Like everyone else, I've had a look at the replay and there's some inconclusive angles but there's one particular angle that shows, in my view, that there was enough contact to warrant a penalty given.

"His general decision-making was excellent, player management and game control exemplary, and in my view he showed a great example for aspiring referees."

Roar director Chris Fong said it was ludicrous to suggest that Gillett's relationship with Ms Tobin should have led to him being stood aside for the showpiece match.

"It's just wrong to think that," he said.

"There's no suggestion at all that anything wrong was done."

Originally published as A-League referee in love match row