Heart of Midlothian’s hopes of wresting Uefa Cup qualification away from Aberdeen were dealt a serious blow yesterday when they learnt that Laryea Kingston, their talismanic midfield player, will not kick another ball this season after being given a three-match suspension by the Scottish Football Association for allegedly accusing a referee of racism.

The Ghana player heard his punishment when he turned up at Hampden Park to appear before an SFA disciplinary committee, who ruled that Kingston’s behaviour towards Steve Conroy, the official in charge when Hearts last met Aberdeen, at Pittodrie in March, was worthy of a three-match ban.

Kingston, who served an automatic two-game suspension after the offence, will not only miss the game with Aberdeen at Tynecastle on Sunday, but also the Edinburgh derby with Hibernian and the match with Kilmarnock.

The 26-year-old player had to be dragged away by Christo-phe Berra, his teammate, as he remonstrated with Conroy after being shown the red card in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague match on March 10. He allegedly accused the official of being racist. Conroy, whose wife is black, reported Kingston, who is on loan from Terek Grozny, the Russian side, to the SFA for using “offensive, insulting and abusive language”.

Hearts are now considering whether to appeal against the punishment. “We will be considering this situation over the next 48 hours and any progress made will go on the club’s official website,” David Southern, the communications director at Tynecastle, said. “We won’t go into detail about the meeting – I think that’s a private matter between the Scottish Football Association and Hearts and Laryea.

“We have the option of appeal, it’s a seven-day appeals process so that will naturally be one of the considerations.”

If Kingston does not play again this season, that may prompt Hearts to conclude a swift permanent deal for the midfield player. Vladimir Romanov, the Hearts owner, has first option to buy the talented playmaker when his six-month loan expires during the summer.

Kingston said yesterday that he wants that to happen as soon as possible. The Ghanaian signed a 3½year contract with Hearts in January, which would simply continue once he is acquired from Terek Grozny.

“Yes, for now I have a contract with Hearts and I’m concentrating on the games through to the end of the season,” Kingston said. “I’m comfortable with Hearts and I’m happy to be with them.

“I have not spoken with Mr Romanov yet, but my agent is in talks with him. It’s not for me to get involved at the moment but I hope everything will be well.

“To be champions in the Premierleague will be possible for Hearts. Celtic are champions already and we are fighting to get the Uefa Cup place. I’m concentrating on that for now, but I’m looking forward if it’s possible for me to stay. I intend to have a good season here next year.

“We have some good players at Hearts and I think every team needs to have someone who can decide the pace. That is my role in the team now.

“You have to work hard every week. I think I have accepted this challenge and I’m doing quite well to maintain my playing level.”

Steve Frail, the assistant head coach of Hearts, described Kingston’s performance in Sunday’s 3-1 victory away to Celtic as “magnificent”, adding: “You want to come and watch players like Kingston, with flair and ability. He can see passes and deliver the ball. I thought he was fantastic.”