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- calendar_today November 13, 2026
Blue Jays Respond to Backlash Over Santander’s Islamophobic Posts
The Toronto Blue Jays issued a formal apology to the Muslim community and their wider fan base after outfielder Anthony Santander shared anti-Muslim content on social media last week, later deleting the posts. The team’s leadership addressed the controversy amid increasing calls for accountability from community members and fans.
Team Leadership Engages With Muslim Community Leaders
On Thursday, Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro released a statement emphasizing the team’s commitment to inclusivity and denouncing Islamophobia. Shapiro confirmed that Blue Jays management had met with leaders of Toronto’s Muslim communities, listening to feedback regarding the harm caused by Santander’s online activity. He said the meeting reaffirmed the Blue Jays’ organizational values, stating, “The Blue Jays are deeply sorry to the Muslim community and our fans for the pain and harm these Islamophobic posts have caused.”
Calls for Accountability and Next Steps
The Blue Jays have pledged to work directly with leaders in Muslim communities to combat hate and reflect Toronto’s diverse identity. Mark Shapiro highlighted the importance of ensuring the organization embraces the city’s inclusive values. General manager Ross Atkins, speaking at Major League Baseball’s GM meetings in Las Vegas, confirmed that he had spoken with Anthony Santander and asked the player to address the controversy publicly. However, Santander, along with his sports management agency, has not issued a public apology or commented on the issue, despite multiple outreach attempts from media and advocates.
Community Response and Statements
Steven Zhou, media and communications lead for the National Council of Canadian Muslims, attended the meeting with Blue Jays management alongside other community advocates. Zhou described the discussion as a positive first step, noting the organization’s commitment to putting Santander through training and publicly acknowledging the incident. Zhou reiterated the desire for a direct apology from Santander, as well as an expression of understanding and a strategy for moving forward constructively.
Details of the Posts and Potential Consequences
Santander’s now-deleted posts, shared after the recent U.S. midterm elections, included videos containing Islamophobic sentiments. One featured a Christian preacher declaring “There is no such thing as kind Muslims,” while another warned that Sharia law would be imposed in the U.S. following Abdul El-Sayed’s election to the Senate in Michigan.
Santander did not play at the major league level during the last season due to injuries, but he signed a five-year, US$92.5-million contract with Toronto in January 2025. It remains unclear whether the Blue Jays will implement disciplinary measures or how potential violations of team social media policies or contract morality clauses will be addressed. The team and club owner Rogers Communications Inc. have not commented further.
Community Impact and Ongoing Uncertainty
Toronto is home to over 1.78 million Muslims, equating to roughly 10% of the city’s 2.8 million residents, according to figures from Statistics Canada’s 2021 census. Zhou emphasized the impact of Santander’s posts on the community, noting strong feelings of disappointment among Muslim Blue Jays fans. As of now, spring training is expected to begin in February, though a potential MLB lockout looms as the collective bargaining agreement nears expiration.
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Source: toronto.citynews.ca.
