AN early review of laws intended to stamp out ­religious sectarian abuse at football matches is being considered by MSPs.

Members of Holyrood's Justice Committee want to address concerns raised by fans about the impact of the controversial legislation.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland and Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House will be asked to respond to the committee within two weeks before a formal decision is taken.

The cross-party agreement follows attempts by opposition MSPs on the committee to force an immediate ruling on whether to look again at the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act, which received Royal Assent in January last year.

An agreement was made for the Scottish Government to review the operation of the offences after two full football seasons and to report back to Parliament by August 2015. But concerns have since been raised by fans about police tactics and the Act in general.

Independent MSP John Finnie said there is now a case to answer. "When we're down to a sizeable group of people feeling that a piece of legislation disproportionately impacts on them, then I'd like to have an early review," he said.

Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell said: "Clearly there is a lot of concern about how this legislation is operating in practice and about the drafting of it initially."

SNP MSP Sandra White, supported by party colleagues, said there is already a provision to review the law after two seasons. A Government spokesman said: "We will give full consideration to any correspondence we receive from the Justice Committee."