VAR is set to be retained in the Premier League next season, despite Wolves calling for a vote to abolish it.

That information, issued by the Press Association on Wednesday afternoon, is in line with indications given by Albion chief executive Paul Barber recently.

PA report it is not expected Wolves will come close to getting the 14-club majority needed to scrap VAR when clubs gather for their annual general meeting in Harrogate on Thursday.

It is understood they intend to push for a vote, even if it leads to a heavy defeat.

Wolves said last month VAR had led to “numerous unintended consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football” and that the system was “undermining the Premier League brand”.

Albion have come out on the wrong end of several debatable VAR-related decisions in the last couple of seasons – and several where one wondered about the meaning of “clear and obvious” in terms of errors.

But Barber recently made it clear the expectation would be for VAR to continue, with improvements both in procedure and communication.

He addressed the subject when speaking to a meeting of the Seagulls Over London supporters group.

A report of his reply, published by Albion, read: “Assuming VAR stays in the Premier League, and our sense is it will, to improve the in-stadium experience next season, VAR decisions will be explained over the stadium PA and the VAR experience in grounds will vastly improve.

“We will also be introducing semi-automated offside technology, which will be quicker, much more accurate, and, we hope, far less controversial.”

Barber said he expected most clubs, Albion included, would want to see how these improvements helped.

Albion’s deputy chairman has long said fans at a game should be informed about what was going on both on the pitch and at Stockley Park as far as possible.

There have been two occasions when supporters at the Amex were very well-informed and knew what the officials were saying.

That was back in 2015, when the stadium hosted a pair of matches in the Rugby World Cup with all that entailed – including headsets from which the referees’ chat could be heard.

The Premier League will not go that far but, with the technology available, improved communication is both possible and important.

PA report recent supporter surveys indicate strong opposition to VAR.

For example, a Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) poll of more than 16,000 Red Devils fans found less than 1% were in favour of keeping VAR in its current form.

Albion fans at the Amex have often voiced their disapproval of VAR during long delays in games while decisions are reached.

But a show of hands at the Seagulls Over London meeting came out heavily in favour of keeping VAR.

Only two people out of more than 60 in the room wanted it scrapped.

Barber told that meeting there was an acceptance that VAR had "diminished" the matchday experience for fans.

But he is also concerned about the nature of increased scrutiny on officials.

The meeting report of his comments read: "Constant criticism of the current pool of referees coming through the pyramid isn’t helping.

"Many are being turned off from progressing because of the constant criticism of officials, and this is not only an immediate issue for lower levels of the game but a real concern for the future as it is from this group we will see future top officials emerge.

"At every level, our sport needs more match official talent not less.

Prem clubs have already given unanimous support to the introduction of semi-automated offside technology in the autumn, which top-flight sources say will reduce the length of time of the average check by 31 seconds.

Delays because of VAR were, on average, just over a minute per game in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season, roughly the same time as a goal celebration.

The Prem intervention rate is understood to be lower than that seen in UEFA and FIFA competitions, while 107 correct outcomes were recorded due to VAR last season according to the league’s independent key match incidents (KMI) panel.

There is an argument that the worst VAR decision in an Albion match last season came not in domestic competition but in the Europa League, when Roma's third goal against them was not ruled out for offside.

The Premier League could introduce in-stadium announcements after VAR reviews in time for next season, a system seen at last year’s Women’s World Cup.