The Chairman of the Eastern Regional Football Association, Abdul Lawal has advised management of football clubs in the region to stop blaming referees for their poor performances.

He told clubs in the region ahead of the upcoming division two middle league as part of efforts to raise the standard of play, urging the clubs to exhibit sportsmanship and discipline to sell the region's football to the Premier League clubs.

Linford Asamoah, the Middle League Committee Chairman told GNA Sports that, the Middle League is slated to kick-off on August 24, with 24 teams.

The teams would be grouped into six, with each group having four teams and a total of 51 matches are expected to be played.

Eight venues, Koforidua Stadium, Nsawam CYO Park, Asamankese St Thomas Park, Nkwakwa Stadium, Kwahu Praso Park, Akosombo ATL Park, Akim Oda Stadium and the Dawu Stadium would host the matches.

Winners of the groups automatically qualifies for next season's MTN FA Cup and the regional super middle league between all the top six teams with the winner qualifying for the Division One League.

As part of efforts to raise the standard of the Middle League, all 24 clubs are required to declare their home and away jerseys and report for pre-match conference.

Sixty four teams played in the Eastern Regional Division Two League and the 24 teams that placed first and second in their groups qualified for the Middle League.