Blue Jays GM slams Anthony Santander for ‘extremely concerning’ Islamophobic Abdul El-Sayed posts

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins criticised Anthony Santander after the player shared Islamophobic posts following Abdul El-Sayed’s election to the US Senate. Atkins said he had told Santander he was deeply disappointed, calling content that could exacerbate anti-Islamic hate “extremely concerning”; the episode matters because the team has stressed that its ballpark should welcome all fans.

Santander shared at least two videos on Instagram, including claims that “America voted for Sharia” and that Muslims are not peaceful. El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan and became the first Muslim-American elected to the Senate. The Blue Jays said Santander’s posts did not represent the organisation’s values. Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal before the 2025 season, played 50 games that year and missed the 2026 season after shoulder surgery and a back issue.